St. Augustine, Fla. (Aug. 16, 2017) – Betty Griffin Center has just completed renovations at its St. Augustine Thrift Shoppe, located at 1961 A1A South in the anastasia Square Shopping Center in St. Augustine.

“We added a new roof and all new interior ceiling tiles and interior lighting, which really makes the shopping experience more pleasing for our customers,” said Betty Griffin Center Executive Director Joyce Mahr. “We also completed a major store reset, with clothing, housewares and other items placed in their own special sections, making it much easier for shoppers to find what they’re looking for.” Mahr also reminded people looking for a good excuse to shop that this Thursday, Aug. 17 is National Thrift Shop Day nationally.

“No one seems to know how Thrift Shop Day came to be recognized on Aug. 17 each year, but it does offer the perfect holiday for people who like a good bargain and are fans of old, vintage items,” Mahr said.

The Anastasia Square Thrift Shoppe is one of two thrift stores operated by Betty Griffin Center to assist in funding the agency’s services. The nonprofit agency, which provides shelter and programs for victims of sexual and domestic violence, also operates a thrift store at Julington Square in northwest St. Johns County.

“Purchasing items from our thrift shoppes is a great way to support us and get some great bargains, too,” Mahr said. “We carry everything from clothes and shoes to furniture, housewares, bedding, appliances, jewelry and toys – and there’s plenty of parking at both locations.”

The Anastasia Square Thrift Shoppe is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Small donations can be taken directly to the Shoppe during regular business hours. Donations of clothes, art, toys, household items, jewelry, furniture, and small appliances in good condition are welcome. All donations should be in good
condition, and appliances and electronics should be in working order. People with questions about donations should call (904) 471-4716.

To arrange pick-ups for estates or large furniture donations, people should call (904) 495-8216.

For more information about the nonprofit organization’s programs and services, visit www.bettygriffincenter.org.

About Betty Griffin Center
The Betty Griffin Center was founded in 1990 by concerned citizens and incorporated as the Safety Shelter of St. Johns County to develop plans to provide shelter for local victims of domestic violence and their children. In 1992, the nonprofit agency contracted with a local motel for space and started a 24-hour crisis line and court advocacy program. By 1994, the agency purchased and opened Betty Griffin House as a permanent shelter. The shelter was expanded in 1998 to meet local demand, and a sexual assault program was added the same year. The Sexual Assault Victim Recovery Program is currently recruiting on call volunteers to provide victim advocacy. For information contact Kelly at 904-808-8544.

Today, Betty Griffin Center shelters 250 to 350 victims of domestic and sexual abuse annually, operates a 24-hour helpline, provides professional counseling for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, provides age appropriate violence prevention training and operates two thrift stores at Julington Square and Anastasia Square to assist in funding the agency’s ongoing operations
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.bettygriffincenter.org. To report if you or someone you know is being abused, call the Betty Griffin Center 24-hour crisis helpline at (904) 824-1555.

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Media Contact:
Ron Whittington
(904) 563-0402
ron@whittingtonpr.com