In a difficult economy, it's our thrift stores that are carrying the ball, keeping revenues growing while donations are slower. Their success is a miracle of cooperation and determination, where one volunteer team hands off the keys to another each day, and somehow it all works to benefit the children.

It all started back in 1977 in a rented store room on Junction Highway between Ingram and Kerrville. The newly formed Auxiliary was gathering items for the first children's cabin, under construction on the grounds of the fledgling Youth Ranch campus.

When the Auxiliary members discovered that items were being donated that could not all be used in the houses, they began to conduct Saturday garage sales, at the door of the storage unit, to raise funds to buy other items that were needed but hadn't been donated. The sales went well, and the tradition continued for several years until, in 1980, Dewey and Delores Livingston donated a building in Kerrville to house a thrift store. The rest is history.

In 1989, the Thrift Store moved to a location near Ingram. In 1998, a second store was opened in Leakey to support the new Big Springs Ranch. In 2001, the Ingram Store moved to its current location at 420 Junction Highway.

The two stores have served many functions. They are locations where donated items are sorted for use at the Ranches as well as for sale. They are bargain stores for families to find essentials. They are venues where treasure hunters scan for unique collectibles or antiques. They are a place for volunteers to build a community which, in turn, serves the children of HCYR and BSRC. They are embassies where the story of the Ranches is told.

According to Kerr County Auxiliary President Ruth Cremin: "I am amazed and thrilled with the Thrift Shop. The dedication of the volunteers over the years is something of a wonder. Small towns have dedication to causes - a drive to succeed at all costs and everyone works to achieve the goal. I see the Thrift Shop serving the community during these times of 'less' and growing stronger in mission and function."

Judy Wilson, long-time Auxiliary volunteer and Board Vice President, echoes these sentiments. "The thrift store meets many needs in our community. The most important need is the revenue for the daily operations of the Ranch. Most people do not realize that inside the walls of the store friendships are being formed while designer clothing is discovered among the rags.

"It is so interesting to watch a retired professional hard at work pricing knick knacks or repairing electronics, then looking over to see a retired legal secretary measuring fabric to sell for a fraction of its original cost. We all work side by side for the same common goal of helping our community. I love the Youth Ranch, for it has taught me to use any talent God has given me."

Johnnie Hirst, President of the Real County Auxiliary, adds, "Working with the BSRC Thrift Store, I am astounded at the generosity of people. When we started, I knew the market was there, but because Leakey is so small, was afraid we would not have enough donations to keep it going. Folks from Corpus, Dallas, Houston and other places come here on vacation, yet they make room to load their car with items for us. When asked why, one lady said, 'When I bring it here, I know who benefits from it.'

"I am reminded of Miss Oma Bell's statement about the Thrift Store. She said the purpose was three-fold. It provided a place to dispose of things we no longer needed, while allowing others to buy those things at reduced prices, and the money helped the children, which was the real bottom line."