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DAV Red Rack thrift store opens downtown
March 3, 2012
David Gerke and Judy Spaar
Tribune photo / Fred Poese
By Judy Harper-Spaar
Lee’s Summit Tribune
The new Red Racks Thrift Store at 203 S.E. 3rd Street is the tenth to open in Missouri. The VIP invitation-only opening was held Feb. 29, with the actual store opening March 1.
James Hayworth, Regional Manager, said all stores in Missouri are owned and operated by DAV Chapter 2, Kansas City.
David Gerke, Thrift Store Board President, said everything in the store is donated.
“We did close to $200,000 worth of innovations to the 10,000 square foot building, and are always looking for donations of clothing and other items,” he said.
Kimberly Tatham, DAV Commander, was on hand for the opening. She is impressed by the work the DAV does through the thrift stores.
“We get probably six or seven phone calls a day with veterans that need help. We have 36 vans in Missouri to help transport veterans to hospitals from across the state,” she said.
The first Red Racks Thrift store opened in 1957, and they are currently in the process of opening another in the St. Louis area.
Marvin Chaney, Vietnam veteran and Chapter 2 chaplain, attended the opening.
“We don’t just demand things be done, we take steps to get things done. We have one motto: we will not rest until every need of every disabled American veteran, and their families, is met,” he said.
Ron Manes, Department of Missouri Audit Committee Chairman, and past commander of DAV, will be the first to become president for a second time of Chapter 2.
“We have over 3,000 members, and our chapter performs nearly 8,000 volunteer hours yearly,” he said.
The store will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
You may contact the store is 816-994-6263, or online donation by contacting 816-960-4621.
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