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Walk into New to You Thrift Shop, and you’ll quickly discover it’s much more than shelves filled with clothing, household treasures, and hidden gems. Behind every neatly displayed item is a team of dedicated volunteers who sort, price, steam, clean, decorate, greet customers, accept donations, and keep the shop running with one shared purpose—to support Royal Columbian Hospital.

For Darlene Gnam, one of the shop’s co-managers along with Carla Brown, volunteering is about much more than spending a few hours each week. It’s about giving back to a hospital that has cared for generations of local families, while creating a welcoming place where shoppers can find affordable treasures and volunteers can become part of something truly meaningful.

What surprises many people is just how many different volunteer roles exist. Some volunteers sort and price clothing, while others specialize in household goods, appliances, dishes, or collectibles. There are cashiers, donation receivers, people who steam clothing, volunteers who clean and freshen merchandise, and even a talented former Woodward’s window designer who creates the eye-catching displays that earn compliments month after month. Everyone is encouraged to work where their strengths shine.

If you're wondering whether you have the right experience, Darlene’s answer is simple—you probably do. New volunteers receive an orientation, work alongside experienced team members, and are supported every step of the way. The shop welcomes people with a variety of abilities and does its best to match each person with work they can enjoy and succeed at. It’s very much a team environment where questions are encouraged and everyone helps each other learn.

The commitment is surprisingly manageable. Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of four consecutive hours each week, although many happily choose to spend more time because they genuinely enjoy being there. Darlene says one of the greatest rewards is the camaraderie. The volunteers laugh together, support one another, and celebrate the impact they make as a team.

And that impact is remarkable.

During the 2025–2026 year ending March 31, the New to You Thrift Shop donated $195,000 toward hospital equipment—a 20% increase over the previous year despite having fewer volunteers. Every purchase, every donated item, and every volunteer shift helps make that possible. It's a number that fills the entire team with pride because every dollar represents something they accomplished together. But being this successful, also brings the need to acquire more volunteers to continue to be strong.

Darlene also loves another side of the shop that shoppers may not immediately see. Many customers rely on the thrift store because they simply couldn't afford to shop elsewhere. Knowing the shop helps families stretch their budgets while supporting local healthcare gives every volunteer an even greater sense of purpose.

The greatest reward is the friendships they make, the confidence they gain, and the satisfaction of knowing they're making a real difference. For Darlene, seeing people become part of the New to You family is one of the most rewarding aspects of the shop.

Whether you're looking for a meaningful way to give back, hoping to meet new people, or simply searching for your next great thrift store find, New to You Thrift Shop is well worth a visit.

Who knows? You might leave with more than a great bargain—you might just discover a place where your time can make a real difference.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

Address: 706 6th Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3M 2B3

Phone: 604-515-4815

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🍁 Shop Local 🍁

🐶 Bluey's Backyard Bash at In Movement – 9:00 PM to 1:00 PM

⚽ 2026 NWPD Kids Summer Soccer School – 9:00 PM to 1:00 PM

✨ K-Pop Hunters at In Movement – 9:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Survival on the Fraser – 9:00 PM to 4:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🍅 New West Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🚘 1st Annual Salmonbellies Show ’N Shine Car Show – 5:00 PM

🎙 Rock Room Karaoke Nights at The Legion – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📚 Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎸 Ukulele Jam (8-adult) – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🎨 Brush Hour Paint Night - Moonlit Lake – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

🎙 Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎭 Howe Sound New West Bingpot! Thursday Trivia – 7:00 PM

❓ Steel & Oak Thursday Trivia Night – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

💃 Salsa In The Park – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎙 The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭 Game On w/ Melody Mangler at the Flapper Lounge – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🐶 Bluey's Backyard Bash at In Movement – 9:00 PM to 1:00 PM

⚽ 2026 NWPD Kids Summer Soccer School – 9:00 PM to 1:00 PM

✨ K-Pop Hunters at In Movement – 9:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Survival on the Fraser – 9:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🧒 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

💑 City Love Scavenger Hunt For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🎨 Screen Printing at Arrieta Art Studio – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🎉 Friday's on Front – 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

💃 Line Dancing and Country Nights – Doors open at 6:45 PM

🎸 Sip n’ Strum Fridays at Mechanics of Music – 7:00 PM

🎲 Georgie’s Local Hot Bitch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙 Howe Sound New West Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎙 Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

👻 The Ghostly New West Tour – 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

🎙 Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

🗣 Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🧘 Meditation - The Secret of Happiness - Free Program – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🔥 Summer Discovery Days: FireWise Fraser – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎶 Uptown Live Summer Series – 11:00 AM

🧶 Knitting & Crocheting Circle – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🚢 Samson V Museum – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🪡 Rug Tufting at Arrieta Art Studio – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🛍 Hyack Square Market Days – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🤝 NextGEN Bussiness Summit – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎨 Climate Arts Build w/ the Intergenerational Climate Arts – 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

💑 City Love Scavenger Hunt For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🎨 Exploring Oil Pastels at Arrieta Art Studio – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🎸 Buskers on the Boardwalk – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🌊 Ocean Artifacts with Ocean Wise (All Ages) – 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM

🔥 Village Square Family Summer BBQ and Cultural Festival – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎉 Kid's Day Celebration at Sapperton Park – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🚲 Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth Ages 13 - 18 – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🎶 Live Music with Rocky Riobo at the Flapper Lounge – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎸 Live Music Saturday at the Legion Branch 2 – 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM

🎼 Live music by the Fraser Valley Stompers – 6:30 PM

🎶 Saturday Night Live Music at The Terminal Pub – 9:00 PM

🎙 Karaoke Saturdays at Kelly & Carlos O’Bryan’s – 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹 Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

Quieter train crossings may soon become a reality for residents in New Westminster's Braid Street area after City Council approved the next step toward ending routine train whistle use at local rail crossings.

On July 13, Council passed a resolution under Section 23.1 of the Railway Safety Act directing whistle cessation to be implemented at the Braid Street crossings. The resolution has now been forwarded to the affected railway companies, which have 30 days to review the proposal and raise any concerns or objections before the process can move forward.

If approved, trains will no longer routinely sound their whistles at the Braid Street crossings. However, whistle use will continue whenever required for safety, including emergencies or situations where train crews identify a potential hazard.

The proposed change is expected to reduce noise for existing and future residents in the growing Braid Street neighbourhood while maintaining rail safety standards.

Learn More About the Whistle Cessation Plan

Ready to explore a career in policing? The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) is opening its doors for a Recruiting Networking Event on Wednesday, July 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 555 Columbia Street.

This free, in-person event offers a chance to connect directly with police officers and civilian professionals, ask questions, and discover the many career opportunities available within NWPD. Through interactive small-group sessions, attendees will learn about the path to becoming a police officer, explore specialized units and career options, and gain valuable insight into the department's application process, workplace culture, and values.

Whether you're planning your future career, considering a career change, or simply curious about policing, the event provides an opportunity to hear firsthand from NWPD members and learn what it takes to join the team.

Admission is free, but advance registration is recommended for those interested in attending.

Reserve Your Spot and Meet Officers

🤖 The Tin Man is back with a fresh mystery today.

🎁 This week’s prize (July 23 - July 29 ):
A $25 In-Store Coupon from New To You Thrift Store.

Think you know the spot?
Head to Facebook and Instagram and drop your guess.

👉 Your play guide is here.

Thanks to Dynamic Health & Fitness and Fuel Hut for sponsoring

🕵 “The First Detective on the Scene” 🕵‍♀️ prize!

📈 It has a solid precipitation plan. 📋

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