December 11, 2003

Volunteer of The Week: Marilyn Wright

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

For most folks, the thought of taking an early retirement conjures up visions of leisure time, puttering around the garden, or taking up that favorite hobby or pastime. But for Marilyn Wright, who retired from her teaching post at Almaden’s Greystone Elementary School three-and-a-half years ago, all that free time meant one thing—volunteering.

Wright, a 35-year resident of Almaden Valley, lives with her husband, Doug, who also recently retired from teaching at Leland High School. The Wrights’ have three grown children, two granddaughters, and one more on the way.
Wright, a native of Northern California, got her first taste of volunteering with the Red Cross Swim Program when she would return home to San Mateo from college. Later, she served as president of the Crippled Children’s Society of Santa Clara County, and then worked with the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days fundraising program.
But it was through good friend and fellow volunteer Pat Dando that Wright was introduced to the EMQ’s Unicorn Thrift Shop.

“Back before she was so involved in politics, Pat did volunteer work there,” explains Wright. “She suggested that I come and visit and I was so impressed. All the volunteers were so nice and it was important to me to find an organization that did not pay out money to some top manager. All of the thrift shop’s money goes to EMQ. We are all volunteers, every one.”

Wright started with the Unicorn Thrift Shop four years ago and now not only volunteers in the shop as the Thursday manager, but also serves as second vice president on the Almaden Valley League of EMQ executive board. All in all, Wright spends about four days a week at the Unicorn Thrift.

Her responsibilities include training new volunteers and hosting an annual April fashion show luncheon held at Joint Venture Church with models outfitted completely from clothing donated to the Thrift Shop. Each year the show has a theme. According to Wright, this past April the theme was “Weddings,” and the 2004 theme will be “Cruise Wear.”

Ironically, in the current sagging economy, Wright has seen an increase in business. “When the economy is down, our sales go up,” she explains. “We’ve actually seen a 20 percent increase over last year.”

Although Wright is the volunteer extraordinaire in her house, she readily admits that she couldn’t do it without Doug’s help. “My husband comes in the shop too,” she explains. “I couldn’t do this without him. He does all the little things—changing a light bulb to working on things. When I need him, he’s there.”

Wright has also passed her commitment to helping others down to her own children, who also participate in volunteer activities. “It just seems like part of our lives, to do something for others” says Wright. I’ve been so lucky in my life, and I want to give back to my community. I’ve always worked with kids in one way or another, and these EMQ children are in such need. They need extra loving care.”

EMQ is the leading provider of children’s mental health and social services agency in Northern California. EMQ helps more than 5,600 seriously emotionally disturbed children and their families each year. The Unicorn Thrift Shop, 1181 Redmond Ave., is a major fundraiser for EMQ Children and Family Services, and is nonprofit and volunteer-staffed. For more information, call 997-9188.