By Sarah Greil
TOMAHAWK – Since opening its door in 2019, the Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop (TCTS), 310 W. Wisconsin Ave., has been granting money to federally recognized charitable organizations in the Tomahawk area.
Through the resale of gently used clothing and household items, they have been able to grant $18,820.00 to help these organizations improve their services to the people of Tomahawk and surrounding areas.
In 2021, five organizations completed applications for grants through TCTS and have recently been awarded grants.
Last June, Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill was granted $1,000.00 for their Cycling Without Age Project. They will be putting the money towards the purchase of their first trishaw. Each one can cost up to $15,000.00.
More recently, $2,500.00 was awarded to MAC Home/Merrill Community Homeless Center for repairs to their building, mainly for the ventilation system. The shelter offers a warming center with a laundry room and full kitchen, as well as a transitional living area. The shelter has housed almost 300 people since opening in 2019.
Redeemer Learning Center in Tomahawk, open since 2001, added onto their building so they could accept infants and toddlers beginning this past summer. They were granted $3,000.00 for updating current curriculum and adding curriculum materials for the new infant and toddler rooms.
Tomahawk Main Street, Inc. was given $2,400.00 for the Main Street Beautification Project. They will be purchasing trash receptacles and cigarette snuffers to help keep downtown Tomahawk clean.
The Tomahawk Area Historical Society was granted $1,120.00 for the replacement of the plastic boat house windows and building maintenance.
Although it is the goal of TCTS to give away 75% of their net profits, they still had money left over this year. To apply for a grant, organizations can stop by TCTS for an application.
TCTS is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.
TCTS is always welcoming new volunteers. To volunteer, fill out the form on TCTS’s website, www.tomahawkthrift.org, or call the store at 715-224-3584.