VVV Ann Derby December 2021

This member has been a VERY ACTIVE member since she joined Assistance League in 2013! 

She was Membership Chair and created the Above and Beyond cards. She was also the Chapter Secretary. For two years she was one of the four Captains of the Thrift Shop and helped to bring about many positive changes. Her contributions to the Thrift Shop are invaluable!  Her styling of the shop is legendary! Weekly she dresses “The Girls” in gorgeous seasonal outfits which are featured in our weekly Thrift Shop update that goes out to over 800 customers.  

 In addition to creating displays for every holiday of the year, she organizes the Jingle Belles, our newest members. Together, they work to create a seasonal wonderland, much to the delight of our customers and the economic vitality of the shop.   

Until recently she trekked back and forth to Fashion Avenue in Minnetonka with high-end designer clothing for consignment.  (Sadly, COVID has stopped that relationship.)  

This member’s newest contribution is posting Thrift Shop updates and promotions on Instagram and Facebook to give us a higher social media profile. 

She has spent many, many hours at the shop over this last COVID year.  Volunteers sign up for shifts just to work with such a friendly and fun Day Manager.  She knows many customers by name, enjoys chatting with them and is skilled at offering outfit advice.  

And if that wasn’t enough, this VVV has been serving as Co-chair of Literacy Plus for the past two years. As a lover of children and books, she researches and selects books that keep the kids engaged while helping develop their reading skills. She is fun-loving and includes humor in her interactions with fellow volunteers and children. Her reading buddies adore her, which is evident by the friendship bracelet recently given to her by one of the children. Given the challenges posed with the pandemic, her creativity and problem-solving skills have helped the Literacy Plus Committee find ways to continue supporting Bethune teachers and the children through these trying times.  

We congratulate our December Very Valuable Volunteer, ANN DERBY!