New 2 You

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!

Meet Stephanie and Mary, two women growing their friendship through volunteering!

Just a few months ago, Stephanie and Mary walked into New 2 You to ask if we were in need of more volunteers. Both had experience volunteering at their churches, but they were looking for a place where they could serve together. When Mary mentioned that New 2 You was her favorite shop, they decided to stop in, hopeful that it would be a good fit.

Mary has a deep love for people and her community. She spent her career in education, beginning with teaching adults with special needs, then moving into special education at Grand Rapids Christian’s Iroquois campus and other local schools. Her faith and heart for service intersect deeply in her life. She currently leads two Bible studies—one for parents of children with disabilities and one for seniors in the community—and also volunteers with Go-Getters at Calvary Church, a worship and events program for people of all abilities. It was through Go-Getters that Mary and Stephanie met.

Eight years ago at Go-Getters, Stephanie shared her experience on a biblical study tour called “Under the Fig Tree,” where she traveled to Israel to deepen her understanding of Jesus. Mary was moved by Stephanie’s testimony, and the two grew closer over time, strengthened by their shared involvement at Go-Getters and a connection Mary had with Stephanie’s mom.

Now, every Wednesday, Stephanie and Mary volunteer together at New 2 You before heading to Calvary Church for Wednesday Fellowship Dinners. Stephanie works with women’s and kids’ clothes, focusing on colorizing and organizing by size. Mary often helps with the dressing rooms, and the two check in with each other every hour. They’re also happy to jump in and help in other departments as needed. One of the joys of volunteering together is doing “two-person jobs,” like cleaning shoes or artwork that they can do side-by-side.

Stephanie most enjoys working with clothing and doing meaningful work at the store. Mary loves greeting customers and getting to know the other volunteers. Although they’ve only been part of the New 2 You family for a few months, the store already holds a special place in their hearts.

Outside of volunteering, Mary enjoys spending time with her two daughters, two granddaughters, and one grandson. Stephanie finds joy in artistic creativity, helping others, and attending Wednesday night Go-Getter events.

We’re so glad Stephanie and Mary chose to volunteer at New 2 You—they are such a joy!