Thirty years ago, Mavis arrived in Canada from South Africa. Unfamiliar with Canadian winters and with no money, she showed up at the Salvation Army thrift store in Burlington, Ont., in search of assistance after being advised that she could seek help there. Wearing only a thin outfit, she was cold, shaking and feeling low.

The thrift store staff took her in and gave her a voucher card that she could use every Tuesday to shop for items from the store free of charge. The first items she acquired were a winter coat, boots and dishes, as well as other housewares to make her house a home. While visiting the store, Mavis felt cared for, listened to and empowered.

“They made me feel special when I was feeling low,” she says.

“Pass on the Message”

Mavis recollects a profound experience she had with another woman—a donor at the Burlington store while she was waiting for a friend at the donor welcome centre. As Mavis spoke to the woman, she explained her situation and how grateful she was to The Salvation Army for helping her. She then asked the woman for advice as to how she could repay the kind deeds. 

“Pass on the message,” the woman advised Mavis. “Share your stories, share positivity and spread kindness.” Which is exactly what Mavis did when she applied to work for the Burlington store and was hired.

Lifted Up

It is Mavis’ passion as an employee to share her experiences to inspire others and to communicate the mission of The Salvation Army. She recalls one encounter with a disheartened man who visited the Burlington store years ago.

“I saw that he was low and, like myself inthe past, needed help,” she says. “When I asked how I could assist him, he told me that he was ashamed to be in his situation but needed clothing for a job interview.”

Mavis took it upon herself to help him with kindness and, as they picked out an outfit for him to wear free of charge by using a Salvation Army clothing voucher, he was uplifted. At the end of his visit, he was happy and smiling, which made Mavis smile and feel good.

“When you lift others up, it lifts you up, too,” Mavis says.

Three weeks later, the man returned and donated $100 as a thank you to the store—with a special shout-out to Mavis because he got the job. 

Making an Impact

Mavis is also known to her local community for her keen sense of fashion and her love of hats—she wears one every day. Sometimes guests walk into the store just to see what hat she is wearing! She’s also inspired locals to purchase hats from the thrift store.

When Mavis sees people walking through the door, she sees a mirror of herself in them and vows to treat everyone with dignity, respect and a “bit more” to bring a smile to their face.

She explains that sharing stories is a powerful way to make an impact and to educate others about what makes The Salvation Army different, and how the organization makes a difference in the lives of others.