Pine Hill pop-up store raises funds for flooded families

Left to right: Ann Epner, director of the Pine Hill Community Center; Dr. Alison O’Brien, thrift store volunteer; Kent Brown, deputy director of the MARK Project. Photo by Rusty Mae Moore.

The Pine Hill Community Center donated $ 618.64, the proceeds of their flood relief “Pop Up” thrift store, to the MARK Project in Arkville yesterday. The thrift store was operated on Saturdays for eight weeks in retail space made available by Bernie and Florence Hamling in the Zephyr Building on Pine Hill’s Main Street. The store was a joint effort of volunteers from Pine Hill and the Hispanic community of Fleischmanns, according to Alison O’Brien, who managed the store. Peg Ellsworth, director of the MARK Project, said that the money raised will go to $25 gas cards and $75 grocery cards for six families in need. The donated clothing not sold was donated to the Salvation Army.