Have you ever wondered how “Christmas Lane” came to be? That’s a great question for Merle. Each year, he would see Christmas decor scattered around the furniture department, making it challenging to shop for both furniture—which is the department he works in—and Christmas. That’s when he and the store manager brainstormed using some of the furniture to create an organized “Christmas Lane,” where shoppers could stroll down a row to shop for their favorite Christmas collectibles and dishes.

This idea is just one of the many ways Merle has contributed to New 2 You over his 14 years here. When he first started volunteering, he worked as a cashier and deeply enjoyed connecting with customers. A few years later, he moved to the furniture department, soon becoming the department head and later serving on the store’s Board of Directors. Merle is a treasured member of the New 2 You family, and we are so thankful for his leadership and dedication.

Merle is a true Michigan man. He grew up in Holland, served in the Army, attended Western Michigan University, and stayed in the area to work in data processing. Midway through his career, Merle and a partner started a computer leasing business, which brought him great joy. Inside and outside of New 2 You, Merle is quite the handyman—he enjoys landscaping and refinishing furniture. He is also very involved in his community and church, frequently volunteering and serving on a committee. In his free time, he loves spending time with his three sons and seventeen grandkids.

Merle began volunteering at New 2 You a few years after retiring. The transition from running a business to having only a few side projects was challenging, but one of the current volunteers invited him to join the team. Since Merle’s sons all attended Grand Rapids Christian Schools, he was excited to support the school district—but the bigger draw was the community at New 2 You. Seeing that most of the volunteers were like-minded Christians serving the Lord, he found many people he was eager to get to know, build friendships with, and grow alongside.

Merle now comes in every Wednesday and Thursday, excited to see the other volunteers and contribute however he can. In the furniture department, he spends most of his time researching furniture pieces, pricing them, and arranging them on the sales floor in “settings,” much like a department store. He groups couches, end tables, coffee tables, lamps, and large décor items together to help customers envision how the furniture might look in their homes.

One of the things Merle most appreciates about volunteering is that it provides an opportunity to exercise physically, mentally, and spiritually. He values the chance to learn from others at the store while also sharing his own knowledge, and he enjoys practicing tolerance for new opinions and ways of thinking.

We are so grateful for Merle—his wisdom, leadership, and heart for service are a blessing to everyone at New 2 You. Thank you so much, Merle!