June 5, 2008

New officers installed for Unicorn Shop of Almaden

On Monday June 2 at its annual installation luncheon, 70 volunteers each donated $1,000 to East Field Ming Quong Center, where the $70,000 will be used to help support a large number of children.

The Unicorn Shop installed its executive board members at its annual luncheon on Monday, June 2. The new officers are President Marilyn Wright, First Vice President Marie Delizonna; Second Vice President Kathie Green, Secretary Jan Curry, Unicorn Treasurer Lelea Viswanathan, Membership Treasurer Jan Miller and Parliamentarian Vickie Poitevin. Photos by Linda Mancuso

That was just one of the reasons the dedicated Unicorn Thrift Shop auxiliary volunteers had to celebrate that day. More than 50 of the 84 those volunteers were present at the luncheon to install a new slate of officers for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

The auxiliary of ladies and men work at the thrift shop handling sales of publicly donated items. President Marilyn Wright presented the check to the East Field Ming Quong Center president, Darrell Evora. He thanked the volunteers, announcing that the gift will help support 7,000 community children.

During the luncheon program, Wright, announced the “Status of Unicorn” with good news about the closing year. Donations to the store have increased from $5,000 to $7,000; sales increased by 7 percent--a 2 percent increase from previous years--bringing this year’s shop’s profit to $225,000. A new vintage book collection as been started and will be available online. This year the store received 2,000 hours by helpers from the County Court system.

This year the store also celebrates its 15th anniversary in Almaden. Besides Wright, the new officers include Marie Delizonna as first vice president; Kathie Green as second vice president; Jan Curry as secretary; Lella Vishwanathan as Unicorn treasurer; Jan Miller as membership treasurer and Vickie Poitevin as parliamentarian.

The luncheon ended with a raffle of crystal gifts and beautiful flower bouquets from members’ gardens raising $100.

The Unicorn Shop is one of three (the other two are located in Saratoga and Los Gatos) raising money for East Field Ming Quong, a nonprofit that helps children suffering from emotional and behavioral problems as well as mental illness, trauma, severe depression and thoughts of suicide.

To donate merchandise, shop at a quality thrift shop or volunteer, the Unicorn is located in the Redwood Plaza Center, 1181 Redmond Ave.; (408) 997-9188. To find out more about the shops, their hours or what types of merchandise they may need, visit www.emq.org and choose the shop link.