By Rachel Beck, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 12:00 am
For unique gifts that benefit people in Lebanon and around the world, head to Ten Thousand Villages and the Et Cetera Thrift Store at 836 S. Main St.
Both are non-profit shops that operate under the umbrella of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Purchases made at Ten Thousand Villages, which sells goods from around the world, help the artisans and their families.
MCC's thrift store network helps families in need, in the United States and abroad. Locally, donations go to FISH, the Lebanon Soup Kitchen, Pregnancy Alternatives Center and Christ Walk House.
The organization has Ten Thousand Villages stores nationwide, but Lebanon's shop is just one of three in Oregon (the others are in Salem and Portland).
Store manager Cheryl Berkey said local shoppers should head to Ten Thousand Villages "because when they give, they're giving twice. They're giving to the recipient of their gift, and they're giving to the artisans. It's shopping without guilt."
This year, helping the artisans is especially needed. According to a release from the Ten Thousand Villages headquarters, "As a result of the recent financial crisis, Ten Thousand Villages artisan partners around the world are experiencing skyrocketing food and energy costs."
Still need to ease your conscience? Most of the items also are earth-friendly, like the popular recycled newspaper hot mats from the Phillipines.
The store specializes in the lovely and unique. Everything from whistles from Cameroon to bracelets from India can be found in the shop. Fair-trade coffee and hot chocolate are cold-weather cures. This time of year shelves hold holiday items, including angel garlands and glittering glass candleholders. Nativities, made from materials as diverse as Coca-Cola cans, are popular for Christmas.
Ten Thousand Villages accommodates holiday customers with amenities including free gift wrapping and gift cards in any amount. Shoppers can even create a gift registry online at www.tenthousandvillages.com.
Shoppers who haven't stopped in since last Christmas will notice some big changes. The store was renovated over the summer.
"We did it to make our stores more separate," Berkey said. The thrift store and Ten Thousand Villages flipped sides and new flooring and track lights were installed in the Ten Thousand Villages side.
The Et Cetera Thrift Store also offers a selection of holiday decor and a variety of high-quality, low-cost items. A new children and baby room is well-stocked with clothes and toys for young ones.
Volunteers have kept both Et Cetera and Ten Thousand Villages running since 1977. Berkey estimated about 60 people currently volunteer, but they could use more.
"Choose your day; choose your task," she said.
Clarene Myers, who has volunteered Mondays for the past couple of years, said it's a good commitment.
"It's a very worthwhile place to work, because we're helping people," she said. Plus, she added with a grin, "There's a lot of good items for sale."
Though they need volunteers, Berkey said the business enjoys strong community support.
"Everyone tells us that we are their favorite shop in town and that when they have friends and relatives visiting they bring them in," she said. "They love our mission, our products and our friendly volunteers."
Ten Thousand Villages and Et Cetera Thrift Store are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday. For the holiday season, the shops, along with other downtown merchants, will be open Tuesday evenings until 8 p.m. Both shops close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and are closed Christmas day. The business may be reached at
258-5614.