Marilyn Krygier

With more than fifteen years of service and counting at SOS Children’s Village Thrift Store, what keeps this longtime community volunteer motivated to give it her best each week?

Marilyn Krygier has lived in the Steveston Village area for over forty years. If you attended one of the neighbourhood schools such as Lord Byng or McMath in the past, you might even recognize her since she used to work as a teacher in those schools among others in the Richmond district.

During her career, Marilyn began teaching in elementary schools and then moved into special education in high schools. After retiring from teaching public school, Marilyn ventured to China where she taught English as a Second Language in Shanghai.

If you visit the SOS Children’s Village Thrift Store on weekdays you will see Marilyn serving customers at the cashier’s desk. With fifteen years of service and counting, what keeps her motivated to show up and give it her best each week?

It all comes down to cause, culture, and connection.

Cause

Sales from the thrift store supports SOS Children's Village BC, and Marilyn believes in their mission and model of care to support children in foster care and youth aging out of care. “I toured the Village in person and I was very impressed by their work,” says Marilyn, referring to the organization’s community of homes located in Surrey that are built and staffed for children and youth in their program.

Culture

In addition to a meaningful cause, Marilyn credits the workplace culture for keeping her engaged at the thrift store. For example, the Store Manager, Yasmin, sends out an email each week to volunteers, not only about the upcoming shift schedule, but also to provide updates on how the business is doing and plans for the upcoming window displays. “The communication gives us a sense that we all have a stake in this,” expresses Marilyn.

Connection

Though some volunteers might prefer to work more behind the scenes, Marilyn enjoys the interaction with the public that comes with her role as a cashier. “It’s fun working on cash because I get to interact with many different people and I have gotten to know the regulars by name.”

By getting to know her customers, Marilyn has been able to provide emotional support to them as well. “I remember a man that was very anxious about his upcoming open heart surgery. Since I had open surgery before, I was able to talk with him and help him to feel less nervous about it,” she recalls.

“A business is only as good as the people in it.”

At the end of our interview, Marilyn told us, “A business is only as good as the people in it.” And I agree. When you visit the store, it's obvious that hardworking, dedicated people serve there. The thoughtfully designed and ever changing window display out front is a presentation that shows they take pride in their store. The people serving on the sales floor are helpful and give off a positive energy. At the back, volunteers keep busy sorting donations and organizing goods.

Marilyn describes her work environment as friendly and fun. She thinks it’s a great place for people of all ages to volunteer. It gets seniors out of the house, providing an opportunity to socialize and engage in the community. It’s also a training ground for youth looking for work experience.

Thanks Marilyn for giving us your time. I look forward to seeing you next time I shop at the SOS BC Thrift Store!

Check out their amazing window displays!

Steveston Village SOS Children's Village BC Thrift Store diplay window

Visit the SOS Children’s Village Thrift Store

Link to store information: https://sosthriftstorefoundation.org/thrift-stores

Steveston Store location:
3800 Moncton Street
Richmond, BC V7E 3A7

Cause, Culture & Connection - Marilyn Krygier, SOS BC Thrift Store Volunteer

Marilyn Krygier