A new thrift shop is coming to town, but with a twist B次元官网网址� all profits directly benefit an overseas PTSD program.
B次元官网网址淣ifty Thrift Shop is a non-profit, not a business,B次元官网网址� says owner Cynthia Cummings. B次元官网网址淭his is the perfect opportunity to help our veterans, just in time for Remembrance Day too.B次元官网网址�
The mother of six is a military wife. Her husband, Wayne Cummings, has served in the army as a physician assistant for 25 years and counting. Her friends have previously served and one of her children currently works in the navy.
But life turned upside down when their eldest son, Kevin, died by suicide in 2011. As a former member of the army, he had been diagnosed with PTSD. His death sent shockwaves through their friends and family.
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B次元官网网址淲ayne didnB次元官网网址檛 really get the chance to process the death as he was working constantly overseas and one day out of the blue, he called me. He said, B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 done working my life away. LetB次元官网网址檚 travel and see the world.B次元官网网址� I thought it was crazy, but I jumped on board.B次元官网网址�
Cynthia sold most of their belongings, except their family home, in a single month. Once Wayne came home, Cynthia gathered three of their kids at the dinner table and took out a globe and spun it. She closed her eyes and placed her finger down. She opened her eyes and saw that she was pointing at the Philippines.
| Cynthia Cummings chose where their family would travel to by spinning a globe and randomly placing her finger on the Philippines. (Aaron Guillen/B次元官网网址 Staff) |
In the spring of 2012, they bought one-way tickets, nailed down a rental home, and landed on Tablas Island, nearby Boracay, a popular hot-spot for tourists. They quickly found a hospitable community that welcomed them into the neighbourhood.
B次元官网网址淎s we were settling in and looking out into the ocean, Wayne turned to me with tears in his eyes and said, B次元官网网址業 think we found our home.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
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Being in nature and enjoying the island activities helped Wayne naturally transition to civilian life. They soon bought their own property with four acres of land and began developing the area. Over the next few years, Wayne would host veteran friends.
B次元官网网址淎fter his friends were here, they felt healed. There was something about being here together and being immersed in the culture that really helped.B次元官网网址�
The couple hired locals to build a pool and turned a once barren part of the island into a haven. Cynthia began studying to get a yoga certification and her best friend and daughter joined too.
B次元官网网址淏efore we knew it, we had become a retreat of sorts, complete with team-building exercises, yoga meditations, and community outreach activities.B次元官网网址�
In 2014, they hosted their first retreat, called , specifically for veterans and first responders affected by PTSD. Since then, theyB次元官网网址檝e aimed to host two to three retreats a year. The family regularly makes trips back to their Langford home to visit family and friends and recruit new applicants for the retreat abroad.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 something special about these veterans being together. They connect on a level that is separate from how civilians interact. IB次元官网网址檝e never understood it because I wasnB次元官网网址檛 in that world. For many, civilian life can be lonely. This gives them the chance to find that community theyB次元官网网址檙e so desperately searching for.B次元官网网址�
Each retreat accommodates 15 people over the course of 14 days. It costs $500 CAD for an all-inclusive experience, excluding flights.
In preparation for their next retreat in February, Cynthia was brainstorming ways to raise funds to help veterans who couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford the cost. ThatB次元官网网址檚 when it hit her.
B次元官网网址淚 love shopping and this is the perfect opportunity,B次元官网网址� Cummings says. B次元官网网址淭hrift shopping is in style now. Some veterans have dropped by to give their items and itB次元官网网址檚 really touching to see the community come together.B次元官网网址�
And Nifty Thrift Shop was born.
Currently, theyB次元官网网址檙e in a soft opening and are accepting gently-used donations, including menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 clothing, shoes, and household items.
The grand opening at 694 Goldstream Ave. is Nov. 1 at 10 a.m.
aaron.guillen@goldstreamgazette.com
@iaaronguillen
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