Steve Baker in front of store.

In an effort to bring people to the Lehigh Acres Kiwanis Thrift Store and to provide programs for the betterment of the community, Steve Baker, chairman of the store committee, says the Kiwanis are planning different programs for the community.

Kiwanis is already known for its generous contributions to non-profit agencies in Lehigh and to many who receive college scholarships, but now Baker says members of the Store Committee want to enhance the image of the Thrift Store to bring more people there who can be helped in several ways with no cost to those who attend.

Baker said they are planning the first program for youngsters who can benefit from knowing how to dress and how to act during an interview when seeking a job.

“We need to let the kids know that how they dress is important. Trousers hanging blow the waste and sloppy haircuts turn off most employers. We want to help the youth of our community so they can will know how to nab a good job during these hard times,” Baker said.

The first program will be “Dress For Success,” he said. Such programs will be scheduled once a month. Dates will be announced.

A Thrift Store sale: Valerie Jones of Lehigh is checking out at the cash register with items she purchased at the Lehigh Acres Thrift Store on Homestead Rd., next to the fire department. At the cash register is Vicki Rector. Photo by Mel Toadvine

At the Dress For Success, Baker said local business people who have expertise in hiring employees will teach high school students how to dress and how to conduct themselves in a job interview.

Baker’s wife, Inke, is the executive assistant at the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. He said she endorses the program in the name of the Chamber.

Future programs will include a Senior Day where residents can meet with Kiwanis Key Club members who will check their oil and other under the hood items. They can advise the older residents that they may need to take their car to a shop for an oil change or to have belts replaced, etc.,” he said.

Inside the store will be specials for those who come to that event.

“I’d like to do a Petting Zoo,” he said.

Thrift Store showroom

“We can bring small animals here. They can be rented from places and local families with children can come to the Thrift Store to see them up close and perhaps even pet them,” Baker went on.

“And I have a really crazy idea, but one that can be lots of fun. That’s us building a giant snow hill for the kids and adults who are still kids to play in. They can chunk snowballs at each other and jump up and down in the snow.

“For the kids who have never seen snow, it should be a real treat and fun thing,” he said.

Baker said in the fall, his Zombie Bus will be at the store for people to ride on.

He owns Fun Biz charter Bus Service. It is a large bus that seats 35 people comfortably and has its own bar and 50-inch flat TV along with hardwood floors.

Baker said the Lehigh Acres Thrift Store is the second largest retail outlet in Lehigh, second only to Walmart.

The store carries almost everything one can imagine from trinkets, to loads of clean clothes, many of them new with tags still on them, furniture, accessories such as large framed paintings and lamps and almost anything you can think of.

“We have plenty of things, dishes, computers, televisions and loads of golf clubs,” he said.

“Everything is donated to the store from people in the community. We send our truck out to pick out those things people are willing to give away especially when they are moving to a smaller place or if they are moving away from Lehigh and don’t want to keep their furniture and other items, he said.

“All we ask is that it be clean and in good condition. We won’t accept junk and everything that is donated, such as electronic items, are tested and repaired if possible before they are put out on the floor for sale.

“We have some really great prices and our store has a lot of customers. We have made thousands of dollars and all of it is given away to community projects to help others.

If clothes come in soiled, they are not thrown away unless they are ragged.

“We donate them to the Salvation Army so perhaps they can find ways to use them,” he said.

Baker said the store also has a hiring program for those who are 55 and older.

“We pay them for their work and we are reimbursed through a state program,“: he said.

“We also have what we call our Job Squad – these are folks who are disabled who can work for us and they are paid and we are reimbursed from the state,” he said.

Others come and volunteer their services to our store and we appreciate what they do.

“Everything that comes in here is inspected and check and is clean. If there is something we need to repair and can, then we will do that.

“We have a large store, with open space for those with wheelchairs and others who are disabled and shop,” he said.

“If you can’t find a bargain here, you won’t find a bargain anywhere else,” he laughed.

Those on the Store Committee who volunteer their time for Kiwanis include DamOn Shelor, Cheryl McConahy, Laurie Jerriey, Brenda Fallon and President Richard St. Dennis.

Baker’s main responsibility is to oversee the store and to greet the many customers who show up over and over.

“I would say that 70 percent of the money we raise goes to students and some young adults for scholarships. We give a good part to the schools in Lehigh. We support athletic and music programs including drama in the high schools and we are active in the elementary schools. We help Lehigh Community Services and Hope Hospice and the United Way House.

“One of the things we do for Lehigh Community Services is to provide them with ‘Kiwanis Dollars’ which are used at the store to buy merchandise at a very good price,” he said.

“What we are doing is really trying to get people more involved in the community with upcoming programs,” Baker said.