The Guild / Country Store
The Family Service Agency Guild is a volunteer organization of over 100 members. The members operate The Country Store thrift shop at 659 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. A variety of items are for sale at a reasonable price. The collection of items include articles for the home, gifts, decorations and clothing. In addition, the members are available for specific assignments at the Agency. The profits from The Country Store are given to Family Service Agency. The Country Store is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays during the holiday season. You can reach The Country Store at (815) 756-2378.
The Beginning of the Guild and One of the Founders, Jessie Glidden
In 1956, four DeKalb County residents gathered to discuss a common interest, that of stabilizing and strengthening DeKalb County’s families. From that interest grew the organization now known as Family Service Agency of DeKalb County. It became clear in the early days of the Agency that volunteers could provide a special and valuable support, and so the Family Service Agency Guild was created.
As early as 1964 the Guild began accepting contributions of clothing from the community to resale as a fundraising project. It was not long until the Guild had enough donations to rent a small building and have regular hours, and The Country Store was born. Today The Country Store, housed at 659 East Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, is a full fledged business, providing invaluable support for Family Service Agency. The Country Store provides a sense of dedication and volunteerism to the members of the Guild, now more than 120 strong.
One of the four interested community residents and a Guild founder was Jessie Glidden. Jessie was a member of the first Board of Directors and served three terms as president. Until the time of her death on December 17, 2004 at the age of 92, Jessie worked a regular shift at The Country Store. Jessie also continued to attend Guild meetings at Family Service Agency.
It was easy to recognize her devotion to the staff and to the clients in her questions and in her comments. Jessie was the embodiment of true volunteerism and the human spirit. Jessie Glidden will be missed by the Agency, by the Guild, by The Country Store, and by all of those whose lives she touched.
Recent Donation from the Guild
Family Service Agency is extremely grateful to the Family Service Agency Guild. The Guild are hardworking men and women volunteers who operate The Country Store. The men and women of the Guild have been able to provide support in the amount of $35,000 in 2010. All of the proceeds given by the Guild are used to benefit the families within DeKalb County. Family Service Agency is honored to benefit from these proceeds and is blessed to be able to use these proceeds to give so much back to the community.
(left to right) Ann Thompson, Sandy Hennegan, Roy
Talbot, Dave Miller, Kathy Hart.
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