Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Great Lakes held a ribbon cutting at Naval Station Great Lakes Thrift Shop, following rehabilitation with support from Sailors at Surface Warfare Officer School Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes, Aug. 13.

Cmdr. Terrance Patterson, commanding officer of SWOSU Great Lakes; Capt. Raymond Leung, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes; and Damage Controlman 1st Class Kelly Vantine, instructor at SWOSU Great Lakes and volunteer for the Thrift Shop; were front and center to welcome guests into the facility. 

“SWOSU have been volunteering for the thrift shop since 2011,” said Carol Ward, director of NMCRS Great Lakes. "They were essential in keeping our doors open in the evening, when they volunteered after work so the store could be available to those leaving the base. They came in after the flooding to rip up carpet from the floor and place items in boxes, moving all the items into the only room that was not damaged. We wouldn’t have been able to do it if it wasn’t for SWOSU staff; it would have been a mess.”

Providing low-cost clothing, uniforms, household items and children's toys, the thrift shop is an affordable, one-stop shop for military families, students and government civilian employees alike.

The thrift shop actually provides a twofold benefit for Great Lakes; it provides an excellent service for the local military community and raises money to support other NMCRS programs. It has proven especially beneficial to new families moving into the area who are waiting on household goods shipments, and new students who report to school from boot camp with no civilian clothing.

“SWOSU Great Lakes staff volunteers for the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society because like what organization represents and believe in its mission,” said Vantine. “All our volunteers are really dedicated to helping out our fellow shipmates. During the day, as instructors, we help students learn so they can continue their professional career in the fleet. In the afternoon, we feel proud providing affordable clothes and military items to students and staff at a reasonable price.” 

When the thrift shop first opened, it could only operate a few hours on two evenings a week, dependent on volunteer availability. Today, with the dedicated help of SWOSU Great Lakes, the thrift store was open Monday-Thursday from 4-6 p.m.

"I see the great work SWOSU Great Lake instructors do every day as they train incoming Sailors for the fleet," Patterson said. "It does not surprise me when they volunteer their personal time in service to others and the local Great Lakes community at large. Today is just another outstanding example of their unselfish commitment in donating their time in resurrecting and reopening the NMCRS Thrift Shop.  I'm extremely proud of the great work they do to improve the lives of our Sailors and their families."

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