Not many volunteers can say they shopped at New 2 You when we first opened. Even fewer can say they volunteered then, too. Although Ed has been regularly volunteering for only a little over a year now, he was actually part of the first truck crew in 2004! Even before the store opened, he and the team were out in the suburbs picking up furniture so the store could open with a full furniture department.

Ed first started while he was still working 40-hour weeks after a friend asked if he could fill in on the truck. These are fond memories for him. When he retired a year ago, he decided it was time to come back to New 2 You and volunteer with some of his friends from Plymouth Heights Church. He now comes in to test and price electronics, move furniture, assist in the donation center, and, naturally, join the truck crew to make furniture pickups and deliveries. Volunteering takes him back to his younger days.

Being on the truck is his favorite role at the store because of the camaraderie, even though it’s hard work. Outside of the truck crew, he volunteers throughout the week on a flexible schedule. He loves being able to come in and help whenever his schedule allows.

Ed’s favorite part about volunteering is seeing the store busy and knowing that we’re doing something right as an organization while being a blessing to our customers. Even in just a year, he’s seen New 2 You get busier and busier, thanks to a village of dedicated volunteers and staff. As Ed says, “New 2 You is really a team effort, and it takes a team of people with big hearts. It’s not all about us—it’s about giving our time for a good cause.”

A little more about Ed: He was born in Grand Rapids and attended Grand Rapids Christian Schools. For about 10 years, he lived in Kalamazoo while working for General Motors, but he later moved back to Grand Rapids to work for Unist, Inc., a fluid application system manufacturing company, where he worked for 18 years. Ed has a brother and sister who also live in Grand Rapids, and he’s very close to both of them. He loves boating and fishing, which he enjoys from his property along the river in Grand Haven. One of his favorite vacation spots is a home he shares with his siblings in Juno Beach, Florida. It’s also right on the water, making it the perfect place for outdoor activities.

We are so grateful for Ed and so glad that he came back to volunteer after 21 years!