Thrifty is Nifty: White Dove shop debuts in Arcadia

Lovin' Life After 50
June 2020
By Lin Sue Cooney

Few things are as satisfying as stumbling upon something unique, beautiful or charming—and then paying pennies on the dollar for it, because you discovered it in a thrift store! I confess to being an avid thrift shopper who delights in finding one-of-a-kind bargains. It’s a thrill like no other! Those with the same sense of adventure will now have another place to hunt for treasures because Hospice of the Valley is opening a new thrift shop in the Arcadia area this month.

Midtown White Dove, at 2711 E. Indian School Road, is a hip, new space to find excellent quality resale furniture, housewares, art, one-of-a-kind fashion, designer shoes, purses and jewelry. The store is housed in a two-story, freestanding cream building with a gray façade and cool industrial vibe. A receiving and processing area, along with more parking, are being built in the space next door.

This is Hospice of the Valley’s fifth thrift store in the Valley—and all of them support care for patients and families without insurance or financial means. What makes the stores extra special? There are only a few store employees. All the people who process donations, stage the displays and wait on customers are volunteers.

The call for volunteers to work at the new Midtown location has begun.

“As you can imagine, we are excited to welcome a whole new group of friendly and enthusiastic volunteers into our Hospice of the Valley family,” says Volunteer Coordinator JoEllen Feltham. “We’re looking for people who want to stay active, make new friends, have a ton of fun and give back!”

Volunteers are the heart of the White Dove Thrift Shoppes. More than 350 strong, many have personal stories about family members who were cared for by Hospice of the Valley.

“It’s my way of giving back,” says Fran Oberst. “I don’t know what I would have done without the wonderful care and understanding when my husband was so sick. I love supporting this beautiful mission so others can have that same care.”

In addition to using proceeds to fund charity care programs, the nonprofit agency can provide essentials like pajamas, bed linens and medical equipment to patients in need. When Hospice of the Valley social workers notice a hardship, they can also supply items like kitchen accessories or backpacks for children who don’t have them for school.

“It’s a privilege to help our patients and families in need,” says Diana Murray, Hospice of the Valley’s vice president for facilities and purchasing. “And we’re thankful for the generous community that supports our thrift shops, so we can be that safety net.”

Consistently ranked among the best thrift shops in Arizona, White Dove stores take furniture, appliances, clothing, accessories, housewares, collectibles, art, jewelry, electronics, sports equipment, vehicles and medical equipment. Donations are accepted during business hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 602-274-3683 for large item pickup by the White Dove trucks.

Visit whitedovethrift.org to learn more about all five stores.

And if you’re interested in volunteering at the new Midtown White Dove Thrift Store, contact JoEllen at jfeltham@hov.org or call 602-530-6968.

White Dove Thrift Shoppes

Midtown White Dove, 2711 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-957-1204.
Phoenix White Dove, 5035 N. Seventh Avenue, Phoenix. 602-776-1540.
Scottsdale White Dove, 8461 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale. 480-609-1190.
Glendale White Dove, 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale. 602-942-0011.
Mesa White Dove, 1255 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa. 480-491-1361.