THE EAGLE’S NEST

IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY

Throughout the fall of 1997 the College of the Siskiyous Auxiliary Foundation and a group of volunteers from Mt. Shasta, Weed and Lake Shastina came together with a mission of the heart to help students stay in school and to prepare to enter the work force. Often students who have completed their studies are not financially able to purchase clothing to attend interviews or to purchase needed workplace clothing.

The Foundation wanted to open a quality used clothing shop that would provide this service to the students and help students to stay in school, economically care for their families and their personal needs, as they prepare to enter the job market. They knew they could help students by providing low-cost; quality used clothing for all ages

To get the project up and running they started by soliciting volunteer staff, looking for shop managers, gathering equipment, used clothing, and merchandise.

At that time Gene and Peggy Greenland, of Mt. Shasta, volunteered to become the shop managers. Together the Greenlands have nearly 90 years retail business experience, a strong sense of community and a commitment to giving from the heart.

Peggy Greenland had previously owned a gift shop in Danville, California; worked for Lobe Valesco’s fine jewelry store; and had spent many years as a merchandiser for a Macy’s Department Store in the Bay Area. Gene Greenland had managed a number of retail firms both in and out of California. Both had recently retired and decided to focus their energy and time on community service. Just prior to taking on the Eagle’s Nest Project, Peggy Greenland voluntarily managed the Mt. Shasta Mercy Hospital Gift Shop.

The task of building the shop was no small endeavor. In the very beginning there was neither staff nor equipment. Just a dream. If it had not been for Greenland’s sheer determination, and the wealth of experience they shared with the volunteer staff that came from the local community, the Eagle’s Nest Shop simply would not have happened.

Many of the volunteers were retired seniors, all of whom brought a wide array of expertise and experience. They also shared the same mission and vision – helping others succeed..

After the staffing had been completed, letters went out to the local communities asking for donations of equipment and merchandise. The outpouring of help was incredible. In came shelving, racks, telephones, irons and ironing boards, clothing and merchandise.

Once the shop was up and running, new volunteers were gradually added to help the staff. These volunteers were community members who needed to do community service work, and others working under the new Federal Work Program called CalWORKS, along with college students working for work experience credit.

From August through November, the volunteers worked to ready the shop to open by December 1, 1997. The staff received hands-on training from the Greenlands in all areas connected to the operation a retail business. This included training in clothing preparation, janitorial needs, decorating the shop for all seasonal holidays, telephone etiquette, customer service, and learning how to run an obstinate cash register.

Right on target, the Eagle’s Nest opened its doors to customers December 1^st, 1997. And, customers there were….a long, long line of customers. It was apparent that the students and community had awaited the grand opening.

Needless the say the Greenlands and the volunteers have continued to truly give from their hearts. The volunteer staff is a vital part of the daily operations of the shop. The shop operates under the same guidelines as any other retail business.

The staff strives to keep prices low, and the quality of the merchandise at a very high level, while maintaining a pleasant, clean, friendly organized atmosphere for their patrons. Proceeds from the thrift shop are used by the Foundation to support student-centered programs and services.

The staff provides hands-on, heart-to-heart mentorship to the students, community service workers and CalWORKS employees. The shop is a laboratory for students who work there. The staff role models and teaches transferable workplace skills that can provide employment opportunities in the workforce. Good work skills are demonstrated and expected including, communication, organization, action-oriented motivation, a positive attitude, teamwork, customer service above self, and problem solving skills, are only a few of the outstanding attributes included in the training.

The Eagle’s Nest is a friend and a good neighbor to the community. Prices in the shop range anywhere from 10-cents to $7 for a full-suit. However, the staff sees it as part of their mission to provide free clothing to any child who needs a coat. Clothing and household merchandise are also provided in cases where tragedy, such as a fire, may have left families without clothing or household items.

Just recently, 16 students were fully clothed, from shoes, jeans, and sweaters to coats, all free of charge. Any time the shop receives a call to help support the needs of others, the staff do so without reservation.

Dependability and a reputation for quality have brought the Shop partnerships for clothing with a number of county agencies as well.

Manager Peggy Greenland said, "After I made the decision to take on the responsibility of beginning the Eagle’s Nest Shop, I soon knew I was about to gain experience in an area where I had little background." She shared how in the last year, she and the volunteers have gained a tremendous insight about the needs of students and other families living within Siskiyou County communities, and just how vast, are the number of people who are in need.

"Every single day I learn something new. Sometimes those things are quite heartbreaking. However, I cannot tell you how personally rewarding it is, when you are able to reach out and help someone. Sometimes customers come in whose needs are such that we can provide clothing or merchandise that immediately improves the quality of their life. Making their world a little easier, erasing some of the worry, extending caring hands, seeing a little-one smile…. Those kinds of rewards cannot be bought. Our Shop is not about reading a profit sheet, nor intended for great financial returns, it is about caring for people." Said Mrs. Greenland.

"In my professional life, I never planned, or even imagined, managing a thrift store. Nor did I ever realize the importance of these kinds of stores. The many rewards that I personally receive, and those my staff have shared with me, in being able to help others, are immeasurable," continued Greenland.

The communities of Siskiyou County are very supportive. Many times the word goes out, that the Eagle’s Nest is in need of coats, or running low on children’s clothing, in need of…. whatever, and soon donations begin to arrive. Most donations are clean and in good repair. Any of the donations that are not appropriate for the shop do not go unused. Those items are stored. Then they are picked up by a company located in Medford, Oregon and packed for shipment to third world countries.

"It is very gratifying to be able to help train students for employment. When our staff leave here, they take with them employable workplace skills," shared Gene Greenland. Here in Siskiyou County there are many convenience stores, small restaurants and motels, and other hospitality related businesses where they can find jobs.

The students who come to work here often have no former work experience. What experience they do gain is the only experience they have to list on their resume.

Both students and community members come into the shop, to buy clothing for job interviews. We have received letters from many students thanking us for providing clean, good quality used workplace clothing.

Sometimes as first-time employees, when they land that first job, they don't have the clothing they need. The clothing they buy here helps to build their self-esteem because when they go to work they have the correct apparel. They are wearing the same workplace clothing that their new peers wear to work. "I believe we help to jump start their career, from mentorship, hands on training, to clothing. We work to instill confidence and pride. As the manager, I can’t imagine giving any less," added Peggy Greenland.