Penny-Wise Thrift Store provides a haven for those who need help
Pat Fessler operates the Penny-Wise Thrift Store to help people with mental illness.
Every once in awhile in life, you meet a person who radiates warmth, kindness and goodness. A person who you know cares deeply about other people and would give those in need the shirt off of their back.
Pat Fessler is one of those special individuals.
She, along with her husband, Peter, and a group of dedicated volunteers, run Penny-Wise Thrift Store on E. Harbor Drive in Warrenton.
The store, which opened three years ago, is the definition of non-profit. Neither Pat nor her husband draw a salary. After the rent and utilities are paid each month, any profits from the store go into a separate fund set aside to one day buy or build a safe house in the county for those suffering from depression and bipolar disorder.
The Fesslers know the devasting effects of mental illness firsthand. Their granddaughter who lives with them was diagnosed as bipolar at the age of 15.
"We have lived with the effects of mental illness," said Fessler. "We know how difficult it can be for individuals and families. We opened our store to help support those with mental illness. Bipolar and depression is very rampant right now. People are under a lot of stress and pressure. We have over 300 homeless kids in our county. We have families who are out of work. We want our store to be a safe place for anyone to come in and talk."
Looking around the main store, which has a large assortment of typical thrift store items like books, videos, kitchenware and furniture, you notice there are no price tags in sight. Going over to the clothing annex building next store, you notice the same thing—no prices are listed.
"I decided not to put prices on anything because the price all depends on if I like you or not," laughs Pat.
Harking back to the old days when people in small towns would run a tab at the local store pay and off the bill at the end of the month, the Fesslers operate the same way.
"If someone comes in and doesn't have any money, we'll put the items on layaway for them or even run a tab for them," Pat said. "People are generally good. If they don't pay for something, they're not cheating me, they're cheating the help for the mentally ill."
Pat extolled the incredible commitment of the group of volunteers that assist her in running the store.
"We'd have a very hard time doing this without them," she said. "Our volunteers are the backbone for us."
Last Christmas, the Fesslers donated 50 baskets for those in need in the community along with free toys for children.
She and her husband also started a support alliance for those with mental illness. The group now has 210 members and meets once a month at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
"Money is not my thing," said Pat. "This is our passion. Anyone who needs help, gets it. We will help anyone. I'm out to prove that we need a safe house in our community for those suffering from mental illness. And I will."
Penny-Wise Thrift Store, located at 723 E. Harbor Drive, is open seven days a week. Donations are welcome.
This article was written up the beginning of August Not knowing that we had the perfect house for what she was looking for. You need to pick up a copy of the paper to get the full story, but it made me cry to realize we played a tinny part in Pat's DREAM COME TRUE
Today we met with Pat her husband Peter and our Realtor. Or Home will be filled with Love and will be helping the community.
Pat and Peter will be opening a safe house and we couldn't be more happy.......
I hope I can grow up to be just like Pat.....she is truly an Angel
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