Jun 15, 2008

Charitable store celebrates 40 years, $1 million

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

Like many a Silicon Valley institution, the Family Tree resale shop in San Carlos got its humble beginnings in a Bay Area garage. That first garage sale in 1968, which raised $725, was just the beginning for the Red-Car-Bel Auxiliary. Comprised of members from Redwood City, San Carlos and Belmont, the women and men of Red-Car-Bel have raised in excess of $1 million over the past 40 years for the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County. On June 9, Family Service honored Red-Car-Bel with a celebratory 40th anniversary luncheon.

More than 50 guests gathered on the rooftop playground of the Family Service headquarters in San Mateo to honor the auxiliary and reminisce about where they were 40 years ago. (Several of whom said they were sporting mini-skirts and long hair, or still had hair at all back then.) Special attendees included Bev Bene, Maralyn Struven, Suzanne Parsons and Marjorie Wilson - four of the auxiliary's founding members.

Each year, on average, Family Tree's volunteers raise $50,000 for Family Service. Last quarter alone the store netted $13,000 for the agency, which auxiliary president Linda Westerhouse thought was pretty amazing, "considering our blouses sell for $3."

The Family Tree, which resells donated goods, from books and toys to kitchen items, to clothes and shoes, is 100-percent volunteer run.

Luncheon attendee and former Family Service Senior Employment Center trainee Diana Hervey stood before the crowd, at the request of Family Service President Laurie Wishard, and modeled her head-to-toe outfit purchased at the Family Tree. Hervey's look, including shoes, a dress and linen jacket, cost her $6.

"The last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month, everything is half-off," Hervey said. "I stand in line with sometimes up to 30 people waiting for the store to open. I like to read, and I can get books for 20 cents there."

When originally conceiving the auxiliary, the founders weren't looking for a quick fundraiser, but a way to continuously support the agency. "The founders wanted to invest in something that would give for years, and years, and years," Wishard said. Last year, Family Service provided assistance to more than 19,000 children, parents and seniors in San Mateo County. Without Red-Car-Bel, Wishard said, "We could not do what we do." (Red-Car-Bel is one of three auxiliary's to Family Service.)

In addition to the heartfelt 'thank yous' offered by Wishard and board chairman Kirk Syme, a representative from the office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier came to present a proclamation on Speier's behalf.

In acknowledgement of her continued volunteer efforts, president Westerhouse presented auxiliary co-president Claire Roudebush with a pendant bearing a "family tree," which matched the pendant Westerhouse was wearing.

Circling through the luncheon tables, a classroom of 4-year-olds from the Pre-K Family Literacy Program gave handmade paper flowers to each of the attendees. The flowers and timid smiles on the children's faces were a colorful reminder of the important community programs the auxiliary supports.

In three-hour shifts, five days a week for the past 40 years, the volunteers of Red-Car-Bel have given of their time, and, as Westerhouse puts it, "We get as much as we give."

The Family Tree is located at 1589 Laurel Street in San Carlos. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


E-mail Adria Murray at amurray@dailynewsgroup.com.