Volunteer Spotlight: Alanna Lake

Alanna Lake, a 24 year-old BSU student majoring in Social Science, has clocked more than 80 hours of volunteer time during her three-month internship at the WCA. She says she was thrilled when she was placed at the WCA because it was her top choice. Alanna was looking for a place where she “could give back.”

She has helped the Crisis Center with set-up and take-down for the Clothesline Project, has done an enormous amount of work to get the WCA’s cell phone recycling program into businesses in the Valley, and has helped extensively with the Christmas Sponsorship program. Her favorite project has been Christmas Sponsorship, for which she has interviewed families in need to compile gift ideas for them, kept the adopt-a-family database up to date, and organized information to go out to those adopting a family as Christmas sponsors.

When asked her experience at the WCA she said “I love it here. The caliber of people working here is great. Everyone is willing to help. There is a great atmosphere.”

Profile of a Shoppe shopper!

Angeline “Angie” Kearn Bains is a sociology professor at BSU and an advocate for women’s empowerment. She is also an institution at The Shoppe.

Not only is she a frequent shopper at the WCA, she is also a walking advertisement, encouraging students and friends alike to visit her favorite Boise shop, “as long as they leave some good stuff for me!” she says.

When asked why she frequents The Shoppe, she said "It’s where I get the best value for my money. I am also making a choice about how I spend my money. I get the best of both worlds when I shop at the WCA: I come out dressed like a fashion model and I’ve supported something I believe in at the same time."

“Shannon, Janet and Bonnie [The Shoppe employees] have created a very attractive atmosphere…The merchandise is arranged with great care and consideration as if they were working at a Hollywood boutique serving movie stars.” “The display reflects how they see people. When you go to other thrift shops in Boise their merchandise is a mess, there is no care and attention. You feel poor when you shop there.”

“At the WCA everyone who goes in feels like a worthwhile person, even while shopping for second hand duds! The store emits a feeling of serenity, respect and caring. It should be a model for all thrift shops in Boise because they have it down right!”

WCA is the Womens' and Children Alliance and the articles were published in the Fall 2007 Issue.