Style Inspiration

On June 28, The Salvation Army North York Temple hosted Brave—a one-day event that empowered 24 young women aged 12 to 18 through a day of creativity, connection, and confidence-building. While the day included games, jewelry-making, guest speakers, and even a dance class led by a participant, one of the most anticipated moments came during one of the activities: a personalized thrift shopping experience. “This is always one of the highlights of the day,” said Major Glenda Davis, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army North York Temple. “The girls were peeking earlier in the day, excited to see what clothes might be waiting for them.” Through a collaboration with The Salvation Army North York Thrift Store at 3711 Keele Street, gently used clothing was provided and beautifully displayed on racks at the event venue, creating a boutique-style experience where each participant could select items free of charge. “We’re honoured to support an event like Brave,” said Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “People donate to our Thrift Stores knowing their pre-loved items will be given a second chance while making a difference in someone’s life. Collaborations like this are a powerful way to see that impact in action.” One of the participants, Emma, says she looks forward to attending Brave every year. “One of the highlights for me is the clothing drive—discovering high-quality clothes, designer shoes, and other great finds is always exciting. It’s something my friends and I truly enjoy, and I know many others feel the same,” she said. The Thrift Store donation included a mix of stylish jeans, dresses, and tops. Each girl selected items to take home, which were packed alongside their handmade cookies, jewelry, and other takeaways from the day. “For some of these girls, buying new clothes just isn’t an option,” Major Glenda explained. “Having the opportunity to pick out something beautiful and take it home gave them such a boost—it lifted their spirits and added to their sense of self-worth.” Major Glenda also expressed deep gratitude for the support from The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “This collaboration is such a meaningful example of how The Salvation Army comes together to meet the needs of our community. It was truly one Army at work.”

Aevitas Inc. was founded over 30 years ago by two college friends who saw an opportunity to launch regulated waste recycling programs and hazardous waste disposal services. Today, it has grown into an industry leader. At the core of its mission is a commitment to sustainability: whenever waste materials need to be handled, the priority is always to recycle first, explore alternative processing options second, and only consider landfill as a last resort, diverting as much as possible from landfills. But in the fall of this year, Aevitas led a very different kind of initiative, one that wasn’t about industrial waste at all. It was about warmth, compassion, and community. The idea started as an internal conversation: How could the company engage employees in giving back? The answer came in the form of a winter coat drive. Joel, a sales and marketing advisor at Aevitas and a primary overseer of the initiative said, “It was a company-wide internal effort. We didn’t promote it to vendors or the public. It was really about giving our employees an opportunity to make a difference.” The drive ran for three days, October 22nd to 24th, with designated collection areas at each facility. Employees filled forty-nine large boxes with over 100 winter coats, along with toques, mittens, scarves, sweaters, and snowsuits, all destined for Salvation Army Thrift Stores, where they will be given a second life, helping bring warmth and joy to individuals and families in our communities. These donations not only provided comfort during the cold season but also supported the Thrift Stores’ purpose to offer affordable essentials while generating funds for supporting vital Salvation Army programs and services. “To make the initiative meaningful, we partnered with The Salvation Army Thrift Store,” Joel explained. “We wanted employees to feel that their efforts were recognized and impactful. Salvation Army’s long-standing reputation and presence in every city where we operate made them the perfect partner because every coat collected helps someone in our local communities.” Rather than consolidating donations for a single delivery, the company chose to keep contributions local. “We wanted employees to give back to their own communities,” Joel explained. “And Salvation Army was the best conduit for that.” For Aevitas, the coat drive was more than a charitable act, it was a reminder that sustainability and social responsibility go hand in hand. “If this inspires other companies to do something similar,” Joel said, “that would be great.” Join us in making a difference. Host a donation drive with The Salvation Army Thrift Store. Together, we can extend the lifecycle of pre-loved items, support local communities, and provide care to those who need it most. To host a drive, please click here.

For more than three decades, the Winter Warm Wave campaign—a meaningful partnership between The Salvation Army Thrift Store and Fairchild Radio—has brought warmth, comfort, and support to communities across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. This long‑standing tradition of generosity continues to make a significant difference in the lives of people throughout British Columbia, while extending the life cycle of donated winter clothing. We are deeply grateful to Fairchild Radio and its dedicated listeners for supporting this amazing campaign year after year. Together they collected an impressive 355,822 lbs. of winter clothing for our Thrift Stores in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Behind the scenes, The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s Distribution and Recycling Centre (DRC) team in Langley played a pivotal role in the campaign. They coordinated donation pickups across the region and delivered them to our Thrift Stores throughout the Vancouver area, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for our partners at Fairchild Radio. Staff take great pride in this work. “What we do every day leads to real improvements in the community through Salvation Army programs, and that’s a good feeling,” DRC Manager Rob Walsh explains. Running from November 17, 2025, to January 2, 2026, Winter Warm Wave helped reduce textile waste, supported the circular economy, and provided local community members with dignified access to quality winter clothing donations. Fairchild Radio echoed this commitment to community care. “I feel The Salvation Army truly wants to help people in need. I am amazed by their work,” said Fion Yung, Promotion Executive at Fairchild Radio. “I’m thankful to our listeners for participating. This campaign can help reduce waste and support those who need it most.” Funds generated through the sale of donated items directly support essential Salvation Army programs and services across Vancouver and British Columbia. These include food banks, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, addiction rehabilitation programs, modern slavery and human trafficking prevention, emergency disaster relief, and other vital supports for vulnerable individuals in BC. Your contributions make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across Canada. Drop off your new and pre-loved clothing and household goods at a Salvation Army Thrift Store near you to continue helping communities thrive.

Every first Saturday in June, residents in the Golden Triangle neighbourhood in East York, Toronto, Ontario host a giant garage sale. This year, the weather was perfect and the garage sale was the biggest yet yielding the best results in its 27-year tradition! The sale featured an impressive selection of preloved treasures, including clothing, books, media, toys, jewelry, household goods, trinkets, and more. Beyond creating a fun and vibrant community experience, the event gave residents an opportunity to extend the lifecycle of gently used items, promote sustainability, and support a meaningful cause.  At the end of the day, many unsold items were generously donated to The Salvation Army Thrift Store, ensuring their impact continued long after the garage sale ended. Through the sale of donated goods, Salvation Army Thrift Stores help generate funds that directly support Salvation Army programs and services, benefiting individuals and families throughout the community.  “The Garage Sale continues to be one of my favourite neighbourhood traditions, and I'm grateful to have The Salvation Army as part of it year after year. Thank you for everything your team does to support our community,” said Lynn Marie Robinson.  The Golden Triangle Garage Sale demonstrates the power of community-led initiatives to make a lasting difference. Neighbours came together to connect, declutter, shop sustainably, and help support programs and services that provide hope and practical assistance to those who need it most. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the organizers of the Golden Triangle Garage Sale and to everyone who participated in this year's event. Your generosity, community spirit, and ongoing support help make a meaningful impact and ensure that donated goods continue to benefit individuals and families in need.  If you are inspired by the Golden Triangle’s community success, we encourage you to host your own donation drive, garage sale, or workplace collection in support of The Salvation Army Thrift Store.  Together, we can turn unwanted items into renewed hope, one donation, one sale, and one community event at a time. 

As part of our commitment to caring for our communities and the planet we share, we have launched a Reusable Bag Library in our Thrift Stores across Canada. This program is a simple but effective way to provide anyone in our community with an option to donate their extra reusable bags, so we can offer them to our Guests free of charge when they shop with us. For a reusable bag to be environmentally friendly, it must be used several times. According to a 2020 United Nations study, a cotton bag needs to be used 50 to 150 times, while a durable, non-woven polypropylene bag must be used for an estimated 10 to 20 times in order for it to have less impact on the environment than a single-use plastic bag. “In June of last year, we eliminated single-use plastic check out bags from our stores, even though the national ban of single-use plastics* announced by the federal government is not yet in effect”, says Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “Now, we are taking a step further as our commitment to environmental stewardship by offering our community members an option to donate of the extra reusable bags they have been accumulating and don’t know what to do with. Through our Reusable Bag Library, these bags will be reused as many times as possible by our valued Guests, instead of being sent to a landfill”. In your next visit to your local Salvation Army thrift store, feel free to donate your reusable bags or borrow one from our Reusable Bag Library. Together we can provide a greener thrifting experience for all and care for the planet we share! For more information on our social and environmental impact and how you are making a difference by shopping and donating with us, please visit www.thriftstore.ca/impactreport * Single-use plastics include checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks and straws (i.e., straight straws)

Your sharp and stylish outfit does not need to be purchased new. Salvation Army Thrift Stores across Canada are stocked with high-quality preloved fashions that helps you build a unique, stylish wardrobe while staying on budget and shopping more sustainably. Running the entire month, our Secondhand September campaign — with the tagline “Thanks, It’s Thrifted!” — is a fresh and inspiring way to raise awareness about thrift shopping – not just as an environmentally conscious choice and a way to give back to your local community, but also as a destination for affordable and accessible fashion. “The outfits you can find at a Salvation Army Thrift Store are amazing, cost effective and great quality— and you just never know what you're going to find. It's so fun to thrift and you can create a really elevated, stylish look,” says May Strutt, The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s National Digital Marketing Manager. If you're looking for inspiration on how to put together your thrifted look, our Secondhand September campaign features diverse models styled in 100% thrifted outfits inspired by popular Gen Z fashion trends. “The outfits were curated in collaboration with Neha, a Humber College Fashion Management student, to ensure they resonate with Gen Z style sensibilities, and all clothing and accessories were sourced from our Salvation Army Thrift store in East York, Ontario,” explains May. This campaign proves that unique runway-ready and streetwear style can be affordable and environmentally conscious, while also supporting Salvation Army social programs and services like food banks, shelters and children's camps across Canada.   Our 95 Thrift Stores across Canada are taking part in Secondhand September, so now is the time to discover your next fabulous, thrifted find. And to save even more, anyone who signs up for our email list during September will receive a new coupon each week for 30% off select items. You’ll also be the first to hear about upcoming sales, discounts, and special events. Find your closest store at https://www.thriftstore.ca/locations/. Secondhand is your first choice for quality clothing. Next time you get a compliment on your outfit be sure to say, ‘Thanks, it’s Thrifted!’

As a leader in environmental sustainability, The Saskatchewan District of Salvation Army Thrift Store National Recycling Operations has been named the 2026 non-profit recipient of the prestigious Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Award, presented by the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council. “Through reuse and recycling systems across Saskatchewan, The Salvation Army Thrift Store quietly turns everyday donations into powerful environmental and social change,” says Barclay Elles, Saskatchewan District Manager for Distribution and Recycling Centre Operations. “From clothing dropped off in local communities to household goods sorted in our stores, thousands of items are given a second life rather than being sent to landfills.” The Salvation Army Thrift Store has modernized sorting systems, optimized logistics, and enhanced coordination across its provincial network, delivering measurable improvements in processing efficiency and material diversion. These innovations extend directly to Saskatchewan locations, where in-store donation handling optimizes Thrift Store and Distribution and Recycling Centre internal processes, while enhancing health, safety, and efficiency. With 16 retail locations across the province, the organization diverts significant volumes of reusable and recyclable materials each year while generating essential funding for frontline social services. “When we build strong communities and believe in people, we help them thrive and shape a better world for generations to come,” Barclay says. In 2025 alone, Saskatchewan thrift stores diverted more than 1,645 metric tonnes of material. That impact is equivalent to planting nearly 1.7 million trees, saving more than 6,000 kilolitres of water, and removing almost 8,000 cars from the road. By prioritizing reuse, the organization plays a key role in advancing Saskatchewan’s waste reduction goals, extending the life of donated goods, lowering demand for new products, and reducing landfill waste. Beyond environmental benefits, our impact on communities is significant. Revenue generated through Thrift Store operations and recycling partnerships directly supports programs addressing food insecurity, housing instability, emergency assistance, and addiction recovery. This commitment is reflected in daily operations across the province, where community support remains central to the organization’s mission. The awards celebrate leadership and innovation across sectors and highlight local success stories that inspire others to act. The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Awards are judged on environmental impact, innovation, leadership, and overall commitment to sustainability. Awards were presented on Thursday, May 28, during the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council’s Waste ReForum 2026 Conference in Saskatoon. Learn more about our Thrift Stores’ environmental pledge by helping to reduce, reuse and recycle. Interested in joining our team? If you are looking for a new opportunity that truly matters, your careers journey starts with us. Explore Careers

When Espie first joined The Salvation Army Thrift Store, she began with a part-time evening role as a replenisher and cashier. Her dedication and natural leadership quickly stood out. Within just a few months, Espie moved into the Store Manager role — an impressive achievement that marked the beginning of a beautiful journey spanning three decades. Espie’s first day was November 16, 1995, at the former St. James store in Winnipeg, which later became the Empress store. By early 1996, she had stepped into a Store Manager role. Over the years, she continued to lead with excellence, moving to the Nairn store in 2007 and achieving milestones that set her apart. One of her proudest moments. Receiving a plaque for being the first store in the region or District to make $100,000 in a single month But for Espie, success has never been just about numbers. It’s about people: staff, guests, donors, and the community. She has mentored countless team members, helping them grow into managers themselves. Espie also knows many regular guests by name and greets them with warmth and familiarity. “I was drawn to the mission of helping others through retail. Seeing how our work supports the community and changes lives has left me motivated every day. And that’s a fact, it’s true. I’m compassionate and I’m a loving person.” Her role today is multifaceted: overseeing daily operations, training staff, and ensuring the store meets goals. Every effort reflects her commitment to making a difference. Through her journey, Espie has learned valuable lessons both personally and professionally. “Personally, I’ve learned the power of patience and teamwork. Professionally, I’ve learned to lead with compassion.” When asked what advice she would share, Espie’s words are simple yet profound: “Stay committed to the mission. Treat everybody with respect and fairness. Be open to learning because the work is meaningful and the impact is real. I love what I do.”

Jeff Jarvis and Mike Callow are bringing creativity, technology, and heart to Salvation Army Thrift Stores—elevating the guest shopping experience through professional announcements, humour, and community focused storytelling. Innovating with AI Due to technical limitations in the Fenelon Falls store's public address system, Jeff has developed a creative solution. Drawing on his past experience as a professional DJ and his knowledge of current technology, Jeff uses artificial intelligence to create professional in‑store announcements —recordings so engaging that shoppers often stop and listen. Jeff customizes the recordings by adjusting the voice from male or female and choosing tones that match the message. A promotion might sound upbeat and energetic, while a GoodWorks@Work campaign script is delivered in a more serious, reflective voice. Creating Moments That Matter Guests have made positive comments about the professional recordings, praising Jeff for his work. As well as the announcements, Jeff also creates music playlists to help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the store. “It’s an honour just to be acknowledged for what I do. I didn't do this for any sort of accolade,” Jeff says. “I did it because I wanted to help the staff that I work with. They work so hard, and I figured I could do something in my off time to help and make their jobs a little easier.” Jeff plans to continue innovating and experimenting with the announcements to further encourage guests to shop or donate—always looking for ways to elevate the in‑store experience and support the team. Humour That Helps: Mike Callow’s Approach to Guest Engagement Meanwhile, in Victoria, British Columbia, assistant manager Mike Callow has spent nearly a decade bringing energy, humour, and heart to The Salvation Army’s Cedar Hill store. With a background in broadcasting, stand‑up comedy, and improv, Mike has turned the daily announcements into a memorable part of the shopping experience, with equal parts entertainment and community connection. What started as a simple decision to step up to the microphone quickly proved powerful. “The connection was immediate,” Mike recalls. “When I'm talking to the guests, I'm talking on behalf of the community. I always try to bring it right back to the neighbourhood, which is important because guests are very giving and they're the reason we're successful.” Mike mixes professionalism with quick wit, like announcing a book sale by saying, “I’m reading a book about anti‑gravity and I’m finding it really hard to put the book down.” Or “It's sales day. This one is going to go down in the record books. We've got tractor trailers parked out back with all the supplies to ensure that this is one future generations will be talking about.” Announcements with Heart His goal is always bigger than the joke, however. Every announcement is rooted in the belief that their work lifts people up, reminding staff that even on tough days, they may have positively impacted someone’s life. Shoppers regularly tell him how much they enjoy the energy he brings, and Mike is happiest when he can brighten someone’s day by making them smile. “It’s been a fun journey being part of a very successful team. That's what really what it boils down to,” Mike says. Celebrating Creativity and Community Impact Thank you, Jeff and Mike, for going above and beyond in using your unique skills to enhance our store announcements, support your teams, and deliver meaningful, memorable experiences for our guests.

Bill Lewis, our Store Associate at the Bloor location in Toronto, had a strong desire to work in retail. In November 2024, he connected with The Salvation Army Thrift Store in search of employment. After speaking with Jess from our Guest Services Department, Bill was encouraged to begin by volunteering. During their phone call, he shared concerns that his age might limit his chances. Jess reassured him that age is not a determining factor when it comes to employment or volunteering within our organization. Although motivated, Bill struggled to find the right volunteer opportunity and contacted Guest Services again. After learning more about his background, Jess suggested volunteering with The Salvation Army’s Kettle campaign as a way to get his “Foot in the door.” She explained the value of volunteer experience and how it could help him stand out when applying for volunteer or job roles at our stores. Bill took this advice to heart and successfully volunteered with The Salvation Army’s Kettle campaign during the holiday season. At the end of his term, he received a letter of reference from The Salvation Army, which he presented to Victoria Hampson, the Store Manager at the Bloor location at the time, and now store manager at the Etobicoke location. This letter helped him secure a volunteer position at the store. Victoria and our District Manager, Lindsay Aitken, played key roles in helping Bill adjust to his volunteer position. Working closely with Victoria, Bill became more confident and empowered in his role. With persistence and determination, Bill gained confidence to apply for a paid position at the Bloor location. Given his new skillset and mind frame, he was hired as a Store Associate. “I give 100 percent to my job. I also get to make extra money as a senior to buy things for myself, and I am very happy here,” he said. “Bill’s dedication, positivity, and attention to detail have made a lasting impact—keeping our store organized while lifting the spirits of everyone around him,” added Victoria. Bill’s story is a powerful example of how hope, perseverance, and support can open the door to new opportunities.

Oakville residents now have another way to keep reusable goods out of landfills through REmarket, a community donation event that made its local debut this September. Supported by the Town of Oakville and the Bronte Business Improvement Association, the inaugural Oakville REmarket was held on September 19 and collected 1,000 pounds of housewares, clothing, books and linens from more than 200 donors. All items were donated to The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “I think that the way we live right now is not sustainable, and it breaks my heart,” said Ariel Ng, lead organizer for Oakville REmarket. “It resonates with my values of buying less and recycling what you can. Even with this one event, you can see the impact.” The event's success has inspired organizers to make REmarket an annual September initiative, with plans to grow the volume of donated goods collected through The Salvation Army Thrift Store each year. “I don't think we could have done it without the support of The Salvation Army,” Ariel said. “We wouldn't have been able to handle that level of donations. As soon as I knew The Salvation Army was going to be a part of our event, I was confident we could pull it off.” While Oakville hosted its first REmarket event this year, the concept has strong roots in Toronto. Oakville’s six-member volunteer committee drew inspiration and guidance from the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Waste Reduction Group (SNLA WRG), which has partnered with The Salvation Army Thrift Store since launching its first REmarket event in 2020. One of the Toronto group’s founders, Bruno Leps, provided mentorship and support as Oakville prepared for its inaugural campaign. “From our perspective, this first Oakville event was a great success, with the support of the Bronte BIA and the Town of Oakville, the enthusiastic participation of partners and residents, and their shared desire to build on this momentum,” Bruno said. “Our work is grounded in the belief that meaningful, lasting change in consumption habits must be driven from within the community. While event statistics are valuable, the true measure of success is the impact these events have on everyday behaviours.” That philosophy has helped Toronto’s REmarket grow significantly. Since 2020, the St. Lawrence group has hosted 16 events and now runs three two-day collection events annually, collecting approximately 45,000 pounds of donated goods for The Salvation Army Thrift Store and other recycling partners. Beyond diverting usable goods from landfills, these donations help fund life-changing Salvation Army programs and services through the sale of goods in our thrift stores. “We don't want something thrown out that can still be used,” Bruno said. “What you do with your thrift stores is critical. It’s fair to say that the working relationship with you folks is vital.” A heartfelt thank you to the organizers of both the Toronto and Oakville REmarket events for including The Salvation Army Thrift Store as a committed partner in environmental stewardship. Together, we are reducing waste, giving quality items a second life, and promoting reuse and recycling in our communities. To learn how donated clothing and household goods support communities across Canada, please visit our donations page.

Sewing is more than a creative hobby for Shift Supervisor Bonnie Richards‑Hiscock, it’s a rewarding way to give back to her community. Since joining The Salvation Army Strawberry Hill Thrift Store in Halifax in December 2022, Bonnie has been handcrafting ornaments to raise funds for our GoodWorks@Work campaigns. She started by creating quilted hearts, selling them for a $5 donation during The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign. Bonnie has since expanded her efforts in support of The Salvation Army Thrift Store GoodWorks@Work Send a Kid to Camp campaign. “I enjoy sewing,” Bonnie says. “It gives me a purpose when I get home, and it’s a good excuse to use up some of the fabric I’ve collected over the years.” A Tradition That Makes a Difference What began as a simple idea has since grown into a beloved tradition among store guests, raising hundreds of dollars for the Kettle Campaign and giving children the chance to attend a Salvation Army summer camp. Guests have responded enthusiastically, often returning to collect the latest design. Overall, the ornaments have brought in more than $1,400 toward the two campaigns. “I'm looking forward to seeing how well we do for this year’s Send a Kid to Camp. We’re asking people for donations, and not everyone has extra to spare,” she explains. “I thought, why not give them something in return—something made with care?” Bonnie stitches new Send a Kid to Camp designs every year, which have included log cabins inspired by the outdoors and, this year, colourful quilted kites. She says many guests choose to donate without taking an ornament home, helping to raise even more funds. All proceeds stay within the local Halifax community, providing a magical summer camp experience for local children. Sending Kids to Camp, One Stitch at a Time “There are lots of kids who don’t get many opportunities,” Bonnie says. “Camp gives them a chance to learn new things, meet new people, and just be kids.” Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Strawberry Hill Store Manager Jenny Haley says the ornaments inspire generosity and a sense of connection among guests. “They’re very appreciative of the time and effort Bonnie puts into each ornament,” she says. “They’re very, very cute, with all the stitching and details.” For Bonnie, the chance to bring joy, lasting memories, and excitement to a young person’s life is what matters most. “If I can help send even one kid to camp, it’s worth it,” she says. “It just makes me feel good.” Thanks, Bonnie, for going above and beyond to help children experience the magic of summer camp in Halifax. Donate to the GoodWorks@Work Send a Kid to Camp campaign at your nearest Salvation Army Thrift Store today!