A Brief History
Gifts For Our Community is a nonprofit organization that provides resources to our community in the areas of human services, education and the arts.
In 1997, a group of executive directors came together to create the Holiday Shop, a seasonal holiday gift and decor retail store run by community volunteers. In the Holiday Shop’s 10 years, Gifts For Our Community returned $575,000 back to our community in the area of human services, education and the arts.
In 2005, the board made the decision to open Divine Consign, a year round consignment store operated by volunteers where the community could consign or donate gently used furniture. When donated furniture is sold a share of the proceeds may go to the donor’s recommended favorite charity.
The Hope Chest project, created in 2006, distributes new household goods to the ill, needy and youth of our community. We offer a large variety of household items available to us through donations from local businesses.
In 2007, Divine Friends was formed. These women, a group of committed fundraiser for Gifts For Our Community, were excited to add home and garden tours to our list of projects.
Divine Again, an upholstery shop, opened in 2008 and trains apprentice upholsterers from Partners in Careers and Goodwill Training. We upholster pieces that customers purchase from Divine Consign, furniture that is brought into the store and we will purchase pieces from liquidation sources to recover and sell in Divine Consign. This is productive use of vacant space in our basement and is a good match for Divine Consign.
Most recently Divine Bites, a wonderful cupcake shop, has opened within Divine Consign. Our exclusive baker prepares the cupcakes in a commercial off-site kitchen and delivers beautiful, delicious filled cupcakes. Special orders for parties and meetings are available. Vancouver needed its own specialty cupcake store and people have been very excited about the quality and appearance of the cupcakes.
Become a Volunteer with Gifts For Our Community!
There are many unique opportunities to volunteer with Divine Consign.
If you would like to help with the Hope Chest in organizing and inventorying new donated items for distribution to local charity efforts, call Linda Glover at 360-695-6443
If you would like to help with Divine Consign, in merchandising, operations, promotion please contact Cheryl Effinger at 360-695-6443.
Board of Directors
Lee Rafferty – President
Executive Director of Vancouver’s Downtown Association
Jerry Todd – Vice President
Executive Director of Learning Avenues Child Care Centers
Crystal Johnson – Secretary
Volunteer Business Operations of Divine Consign
Tami Nesburg – Treasurer
Vice President Regent’s Bank
Carol Smith – Director
Divine Consign Volunteer
