Caroline’s Non-Profit Thrift Shop gifted $250,000 January 24 2016 in a Gifting Reception at the Café Rio in Aptos from proceeds raised in 2015. This brings the total to $850,000 that this amazing non-profit has gifted since opening in June 2011.
The shop was founded by Christina (Christy) Licker. Its primary mission is to raise funds for Santa Cruz County non-profits that have programs and/or services for children with special medical, developmental, or psychological needs.
The shop is named after Christy’s daughter Caroline who was a special needs child. After Caroline was gone, Christy decided to find some way to provide funding for those organizations who had helped Caroline during her too-short life. The thrift shop continues to grow with over 100 volunteers helping to make it a community success and a funding resource for many local non-profits. There you will find unique, high-quality, and rare items that have been donated by families near and far. Caroline’s has almost everything including dishes, kitchenware, linens, children’s clothing, toys, sporting goods, ladies clothing, accessories, books, and furniture, art and lighting with many of these items true collectables.
Here is a list of the 21 non-profit organizations that received gifts from Caroline’s at its gifting Receptions this year.
Hope’s Closet $2,500 • Building Rhythms $4,000 • Shared Adventures $4,000 • Above The Line $5,000 • Youth Now $5,000 • Camp Kesem UCSC $5,500 • Adaptive Yoga Project $6,000 • Second Harvest Food Bank (Food For Kids Program) $7,000 • For Kids Monterey Bay $8,000 • Nourishing Generations $8,000 • Easter Seals Central Coast $10,000 • Walnut Avenue Women’s Center $10,000 • Big Brothers/BIg Sisters Santa Cruz $10,000 • Survivor’s Healing Network $10,000 • Teen Kitchen Project $10,000 • Coastal Kids Home Health Care $20,000 • CASA $25,000 • Childrens Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition $25,000 • Hospice of Santa Cruz County $25,000 • Jacob’s Heart $25,000 • Special Parents Information Network $25,000
Caroline’s accepts donations seven days a week during regular store hours at the back porch and there are volunteers available to help unload your vehicle. All new or gently used items – children’s toys and clothing, men and women’s clothing, sporting goods, frames and art, furniture, dishes, linens, and other household items are welcome. If you have a special talent (gardening, painting, sewing, quilting, etc.) and would like to donate time, treasure or volunteer, Caroline’s welcomes you.
•••
Caroline’s is located at 402 Trout Gulch Road & 408 Trout Gulch Road Aptos. Business Hours: M-F 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat & Sun 12 – 5 p.m.