One of our volunteers suggested featuring a different volunteer that is serving on the National Board. It was a great suggestion! 

Meet Dan Jipping

Dan has been connected with Legacy Thrift from a young age, first becoming involved as a teenager by helping with a radio call-a-thon to help raise funds at the Holland North store. Over the years, that early involvement has grown into a continued commitment to serving in various roles across the organization.

Today, Dan serves at the Jenison store, where he oversees the outdoor digital sign and indoor TV advertising. He also serves on the National Board, after being encouraged to join by his father and Legacy Thrift founder, Ken Jipping. Currently, he holds the role of Assistant Secretary.

Reflecting on his experience, Dan shares that it has been a blessing to witness the dedication and attention to detail that goes into each store across the country. He is especially encouraged by seeing individuals from diverse backgrounds come together with a shared purpose to spread the Gospel to people they may never meet this side of heaven.

In his personal life, Dan has been married for 25 years and has four children still living at home. His youngest will graduate from high school this summer, while his oldest is preparing for a wedding late this summer, making it an especially meaningful year for his family.

Professionally, Dan has worked at State Farm Insurance for 32 years alongside his father and now serves as the office manager.

Communication Project

Inviting Friends to Volunteer

The Simple Ask: Inviting Friends to Volunteer

Pictured above: Cliff Oolman & Dennis Den Hartog, Volunteers at Legacy Thrift Orange City.

Asking friends to volunteer doesn’t have to feel like a big pitch. In fact, the simplest approach is usually the best, just ask.

A personal ask goes a long way! People are much more likely to say yes when it comes from someone they know. And the truth is, current volunteers are our best recruiters. No one can share what it’s really like better than you. A simple, “Hey, I’ve been helping out at a thrift store that supports missions work, I think you’d actually enjoy it,” is often all it takes.

Most of our volunteers are volunteering because someone asked. A quick, genuine invitation is often all it takes to get someone through the door. People are usually more open than we think; they just need that small nudge and a friendly face to show them where to start.

It also helps to be specific. Think about where we could use the most help right now and match that with your friend’s strengths. Have a friend who loves organizing? Ask if they’d want to help sort donations. Good with people? They might enjoy being a cashier. Even better, invite them to try it once with no long-term commitment, just a chance to see what it’s like.

Sharing a little of your own experience can help too. Nothing over the top, just why you like it or what’s made it worthwhile for you.

At the end of the day, it’s not about a perfect ask it’s just about opening the door.

Jessica Bruinsma

Vice President of Operations

Social Media Spotlight

I would like to take a moment to encourage you to use social media to promote your store. We recognize that you are volunteers, and we are committed to supporting your efforts with a variety of resources to make your work easier.

Below are some of the tools and resources available to you from the corporate office:

1. Canva Post Templates
We have created numerous pre-designed social media posts in Canva, which you can customize to suit your store's needs and enhance its social media presence. These templates cover various themes such as holidays, sales, volunteer recruitment, and donation drives. They are easy to use, and we encourage you to personalize them for your store. Our goal is to help you succeed. If there are any types of posts that you believe would be beneficial, please let me know, and we will work to create those. If you're unfamiliar with Canva or would like a tutorial, I’m more than happy to assist. There are also many YouTube tutorials available. Please feel free to take advantage of these ready-made posts to enhance your social media presence. 

2. Content Strategy Insights
When planning your social media content, it's important to note that showcasing items available on the sales floor can drive traffic to your store. People are more likely to visit if they see something they like. Additionally, social media algorithms tend to prioritize video content, especially reels. Reels are particularly effective in expanding your reach beyond current followers, attracting potential customers who may not yet be familiar with your store. While the details of these algorithms are complex and based on viewer behavior, the key takeaway is that video content can significantly increase your store’s visibility. 

3. Sharing Corporate Content
We are actively working to maintain a steady stream of content on the Legacy Thrift Corporate Facebook page. Feel free to share this content on your own social media or engage with it by liking and commenting. There are 15 stores in our network, and you can follow and interact with their posts as well. If engaging with all 15 stores seems overwhelming, start by liking and interacting with one store’s post per week. We belong to a community of stores, and your involvement helps strengthen the entire network. 

4. Collaborating with Ministry Partners
Many of our ministry partners maintain active Facebook accounts, and we encourage you to share their posts on your store’s page. I am working to post ministry-related content on the Corporate Facebook page and tag your stores. This will further connect your store to the larger ministry and highlight the impact of the proceeds from sales. 

I understand this may be a lot to take in. Please feel free to use whichever resources work best for you. Know that I am always here to assist and am happy to help in any way. We want you to feel valued and supported, as we are all united in our shared mission.

Ann Minnick

Social Media Manager, Corporate Office

[email protected]

A New Chapter Begins in Houston

A New Chapter Begins in Houston: 

Celebrating Our Newest Store

We are thrilled to share exciting news! Legacy Thrift has opened a new store in Houston, Texas! This milestone represents months of dedication, collaboration, and heart from an incredible group of volunteers who made it all possible.

On February 2, we held a soft opening, welcoming our first visitors into the space. It was a special moment to see the vision come to life with the shelves stocked, doors open, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It has given us the opportunity to test operations, connect with early supporters, and build momentum for what’s ahead.

We are eagerly looking forward to our official Grand Opening on May 6!  This will be a chance for the wider community to experience the store, learn more about its purpose, and gain continued support for donations and volunteers.

The Houston store supports the mission of Living Water International. Conveniently located right next door to their office, the store strengthens the connection between everyday engagement and global impact, helping bring clean water solutions and the Living Word to communities in need.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the leadership team whose vision and perseverance guided this project from idea to reality. Their commitment laid the foundation for success. Equally, we are so thankful for our volunteers whose time, energy, and passion are the heartbeat of this effort. From setting up the space to welcoming guests, your contributions have been invaluable!

Jessica Nolan-Bruinsma

Testimonies from our Ministry Partners

A NEW CHANCE AT LIFE

We love seeing how God is at work around the world through our partners. We’re excited to share a glimpse of what He is doing through Living Water International.

The events of this story have been based on an interview with Mary and Living Water global staff from Zambia.

Having lived in Mwankuwa Village, Zambia, for over 10 years, Mary Mbuzi’s life had always been a struggle. She and her husband had only gone as far as primary school, and their lack of education made it difficult for them to earn a decent living. They relied on their farm to feed their seven children and put a roof over their heads, but it was a constant struggle.

Their biggest challenge, however, was the need for safe water. For years, they relied on shallow wells and seasonal streams, often infested with animals like rats, lizards, and snakes. These animals would fall into the water and die. But they had no choice but to drink the contaminated water. Mary had lost count of the times she had seen her children fall ill and suffer from waterborne diseases. It was a constant worry, and it made her feel helpless.

Mary was skeptical when Living Water International came to their community to provide safe water. She had heard similar plans before, and they had never come true. But thankfully, this time was different. In partnership with the local church and community leaders, Living Water staff assessed the situation and provided a water system that changed their lives forever.

Mary could hardly believe her eyes when she saw clean water flowing from the pump. It was like a dream come true. She washed her face and hands in the water, and it felt like heaven. She took a deep breath and felt like she could finally breathe freely again. She looked around and saw her children playing, their faces lit up with joy. They were healthy and happy for the first time in a long time.

Legacy Thrift exists to raise funds for strategically selected ministries that share the Good News of Jesus Christ around the world.

Legacy Thrift Ministry Partners: