For nearly 40 years, Seconds Unlimited has made a significant impact on the community both through the goods it sells and for its important financial contributions to Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital (RGH).
The store’s business model depends on donations of gently used clothing and household goods. These items are then sold at affordable prices, sometimes ranging as low as $3 to $5 per item. These extremely modest price points make it especially remarkable that Seconds Unlimited has recently pledged $500,000 toward The Campaign for Rappahannock General Hospital to support the first major renovation since the hospital opened in 1977.
“We are so grateful for this tremendous commitment to support the renovation of our community hospital,” Alan Bailey, RGH vice president administrator, shares. “For more than 44 years, our hospital has navigated changes and challenges while continuing to serve the community with compassionate care. As the only hospital in the region, having a modern Emergency Department is vital to the continued health, safety and peace of mind for this community. The donations, dedicated volunteers and loyal customers at Seconds Unlimited are helping to keep our community healthier and safer for generations to come.”
This significant gift from Seconds Unlimited isn’t the first of its kind for the bustling, small thrift shop adjacent to the Tri-Star parking lot. Seconds Unlimited has a long history of donating funds to Rappahannock General Hospital for projects of all scales that directly benefit patient care. The most recent of these occurred in early 2018, when the hospital’s imaging department obtained the area’s first 3D mammography unit thanks to the generosity of Seconds Unlimited Thrift Shop and community donations.
“Our foundation and hospital are so appreciative of the hard work put in by the Seconds Unlimited volunteers, as well as the community,” Jimmie Carter, member of the RGH Campaign Committee, says. “It’s remarkable when you think about what a community effort goes into these major gifts from Seconds Unlimited. Every item the community donates to the thrift shop is then resold to other members of the community. One small transaction at a time, these projects and improvements for the hospital are being purchased by the community, for the community.”
According to Deborah Hall Silvus, manager at Seconds Unlimited, the shop has never been busier with donations pouring in and customers eager to be shopping again.
“It’s really incredible to see the support from the community, dropping their fantastic items for donation at the back of the shop and then coming through the front doors to do their own shopping,” Deborah shares. “Donations are at an all-time high, we’re freshening up the look of the shop and we’ve seen an increase in high-end items donated. All of this together enhances the overall quality of the product and setting we’re able to offer.”
Seconds Unlimited closed for almost six months in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon reopening, the shop now offers shortened shopping hours and operates with a smaller team of volunteers than before.
“Of course, we couldn’t do what we do without our dedicated team of volunteers who were so enthusiastic to get back in the shop and continue making a difference for our hospital, for our community,” Deborah says. “We currently have 28 active volunteers generously giving their time and talents to raise these funds to improve the health of our community. I’m so proud to be a part of that.”
Deborah adds that, “the dedication is just unreal. In fact, three volunteers have each taken leave during the past few months for major surgeries, and all three came hustling back to work as soon as they were cleared.”
Seconds Unlimited could always use a few more friendly faces to help at the shop! Individuals interested in volunteering can inquire within during business hours at the shop, which is located at 77 Irvington Road, Kilmarnock. Seconds Unlimited is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn about the health care services we provide at Bon Secours.
