Opportunity Foundation volunteers help reopen gift store

After being closed for almost a year, the St. Charles Madras gift store has reopened thanks to wonderful volunteers from the community. Two of those volunteers, Julia and Sunny, come from Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon, a local nonprofit that provides job training and placement for adults with disabilities.

Julia and Sunny love volunteering at the St. Charles Madras gift store. The pair, pictured here with their volunteer mentor Melissa, volunteer at the store every Wednesday morning as part of the job training program. In addition to stocking the shelves, conducting inventory and ringing up sales, the pair also like getting to interact with caregivers.

"I love working here. I'm happy to be with my friends. It makes me happy being here because the people are my friends. It brings me a good mood to see my friends," said Julia, 53, who has lived in Madras for 40 years.

Vicki Woods, manager of support services for St. Charles Madras, says Julia has gotten to know so many of the caregivers, who love stopping by to say hi during her shifts. She says Sunny is a great worker who loves giving back to the community by volunteering.

"It's so much fun to have Julia and Sunny here," said Woods.

Caregivers in Madras are especially appreciative because for many months the gift shop has been closed. Having this support from the Opportunity Foundation helped them to reopen the gift store.

Lew England, business relations director for Opportunity Foundation, also praised the partnership between the two organizations and hopes to use the same model in other communities. "It's been outstanding. Staff there are great and it's a wonderful partnership for us."