Document text
Southern Oregon Journal: Their nickels and dimes really added up Sunday May 7, 2017 at 12:01 AM By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune All too often, if we don’t simmer down and take a look around, meaningful events with huge ramifications happen quietly and without the proper nod. Such was the case recently in Jacksonville when a small gallery of persevering seniors, with limited fanfare, delivered big on a 20-year promise. These are the stories that warm our souls and make us want to rejoin the parade. I happened to be scrolling through Facebook, my social treasure trove. I wade through a lot of entertaining foofaraw to spot a gem. One of many pages I follow is the Jacksonville Review, as it’s no secret that J'ville resides snugly in my heart. I stopped on a video posting of theirs. A man was receiving one of those ridiculously oversized checks that charities and prize-winners get. Behind him stood a beaming row of proud individuals. I turned on the sound. I had to stop, rewind and say out loud to the cat, “Wait. How much money did these people raise?” Now, not to rain on anyone’s parade or effort — far be it from me, but we’ve all seen a sincere group of folks presenting checks of a few hundred dollars toward a cause they champion; it is a wonderful thing. But the amount on this check offered to Rick Patsche, president of the Jacksonville Community Center, was an astounding $153,200! The thing that got me was that those responsible stood there humbly, surrounded by equally humble goods, which had over time yielded such a clunking great prize. It was the Jacksonville Old Library Thrift Store, run and operated by the dedicated volunteer staff of Seniors Inc. I had to check this place out for myself. I enjoy a good scouting through secondhand stores anyway, so I recently drove Fiona along the backroads of a heavenly spring day to pay a call on this place of magical contributions — to discover their secret. Val, a relative newcomer, was on duty. She was friendly, and we chatted about the unparalleled beauty of small-town life. The thrift store had operated since 1998 for the sole purpose of building a community center. Most items were tagged at $5 or less. How in the wide world of bargains could a rustic edifice such as this raise that kind of dough? Could it be a front for a gambling ring? Was Val really a bookie? Well, she was reading a book between customers, but no. The answer was, time. Twenty years of saving quarters and dollar bills, sifting through donations, cleaning, pricing, with the faithful manning the register day after day, Britt festival after festival, yielded this whopping amount for a new community center. Thousands of customers from all over the world have contributed tiny increments toward the goal. If that isn’t the perfect story and role model for every community, I just don’t know what it would be. As he received the check, Ron Patsche proclaimed it a miracle. “With this money of $153,000.00, you’ve led the way for everybody to follow — for all the other donors and all the other foundations to come on board to say if an organization like yours can do it, they can do it too.” Because of the sincere efforts of Seniors Inc. and other donors, grants were made possible from other large foundations — enough to cover costs. So, watch for the announcement of a groundbreaking soon. The expansion of the Sampson Cottage at Fourth and Main to a 3,000-square-foot center providing a multitude of activities for neighbors of all ages will become a reality. I knew full well I would buy something, so I could feel like a part of the gang. I restocked my dwindling supply of ribbon and found some greeting cards. After all, the community center will need furniture and kitchen appliances, and my $6.50 was a start. — Peggy Dover is a freelance writer living in Eagle Point. Email her at [email protected].