Former Owners of Local Sporting Goods Store in Owen Sound Donate Remaining Inventory to The Salvation Army Thrift Store

The Salvation Army Thrift Store in Owen Sound has received a donation of tens of thousands of dollars worth of sporting goods apparel and equipment from local sporting goods store Garb and Gear, which closed its doors this Spring.

The owners,  Janice and Brian Warrilow, are retiring after running the store for 46 years and donated all the remaining inventory to The Salvation Army.

“I’m aware of the good The Salvation Army does in the community, and we were looking for a not-for-profit that would be able to use the donation to the benefit of the community and   generate funding for programs,” said Janice.

All the proceeds from the sale of the items will go to The Salvation Army Thrift Store which then funds programs such as sending kids to Salvation Army summer camps and The Salvation Army Community and Family Services which operates the food bank.  Some of the sports apparel will also be donated to children’s outreach sports programs.

“Right now we have a team of volunteers that are still sorting through all the merchandise, taking inventory and organizing the items before they go on sale,” said Salvation Army Lieutenant Jory Hewson.

The donated items include a vast amount of apparel covering all seasons, coats, licensed jerseys and hats, shoes, boots, golf equipment, skates, swimwear and other sports equipment.

“We are so humbled by the generosity of this couple that even in their retirement continue to want to give back to the community and graciously approached us to make that a reality,” said Lieutenant Hewson.

By: Caroline Franks