Three thousand, six hundred and fifty days; give or take a day or two in lieu of the odd leap year.
That’s how long it’s been since Ed and Marie Malinoski had a vacation.
Ed recalls Hawaii in 2005 being the retired couple’s last port of call, about a month before the pair embarked on a 10-year volunteering marathon — to run the Richmond Animal Protection Society’s (RAPS) thrift store.
Ever since they first opened the doors of the shop on Granville Avenue (next to Value Village), the tireless Malinoskis have been, without fail, on shift in some way, shape or form six days a week.
“We take Sundays off,” smiled Ed, a retired CP Rail foreman, before admitting he usually drops by on Sundays anyway, just to see what donations — often junk — have been dropped off at the store.
At the end of the month, however, and citing advancing years as their main reason, Ed, 81, and Marie, 79, are calling it a day — or so they say.
“We’ve given our notice three times and we’re still here,” laughed Marie, a retired homecare worker, who also credited the 25 or so other volunteers it takes to keep the store open.
“But somebody else has to take over at some point and we’re not getting any younger.
“Most of the people who work here and at the shelter just want to come in and do their shift and that’s great. But nobody wants to run the store full-time.
“I guess it’s a hard position to fill because we’ve probably done too much over the years. But you will likely find us still volunteering at the store.”
It all started more than 10 years ago when the founder of RAPS, Carol Reichert, suggested the Malinoskis run a new thrift store for the animal charity.
“Eddy’s into recycling and we used to run a massive yard sale at our half-acre home on Bridge Street, called the Richmond Homeless Cats Garage Sale, over a long weekend, bringing in more than $10,000,” said Marie.
“Then Carol asked, ‘Why don’t you guys run the thrift store?’ Eddy always wanted to run a second-hand store so he was all for it.”
Commending the Malinoskis for their incredible devotion, Catherine Ellsmere, on behalf of the RAPS’ board of directors, said the charity has been “very blessed” to have the pair at the helm of the thrift store.
“Both Eddy and Marie have worked tirelessly, often seven days a week, sorting and cleaning up a wide variety of donations, getting them ready to sell at the store,” said Ellsmere.
“They have always had a keen sense of what their customers want and over the years have always gone that extra mile to pick up furniture and deliver bigger items. All this as volunteers!
“Our appreciation for their dedication to RAPS goes beyond words. Their contribution is a huge part of RAPS’ success. For all of this, we are very grateful. They are leaving two pairs of very big shoes to fill.”
Over the last decade, Ed, who had a mini-stroke a couple of years ago, said scores of customers at the store have become friends; but he still has a little chuckle at some regulars who ask for the 30 per cent sale discount on 50-cent items.
“I can sit at home and do nothing, but you gotta keep going, right?” said Ed.
“I can’t do nothing! And we won’t see things go downhill here, because we’ve worked so hard for it over the years.
“We might just be irreplaceable; I’m not sure?”
Anyone interested in running the thrift store should contact RAPS at www.rapsociety.com or call 604-275-2036.
