On August 29, Guardian Angel Thrift, Inc., a non-profit corporation in Fuquay supporting Alzheimer Research, will celebrate its tenth anniversary of making donations for Alzheimer’s Research. A special public event is planned with a donation of $250,0000 for the year, an amount that realizes the goal of its first $1,000,000.

“We are now working on our second million dollars,” said Mrs. Laura Gaddis, president and founder of the business that started in a little 1,400 square foot store in downtown Fuquay in September 1999. It has blossomed into the large 26,000 square foot Super Thrift operation in a former supermarket building at 742 N. Main Street and continues to grow day by day.

Mrs. Gaddis said everything they do here --- everyone of the thousands of donated items and every dollar raised --- is attributed to her mother, Lina Mae Edwards of Apex, who died at the age of 76 just after Christmas in 1999, after slowly losing her memory to Alzheimer’s disease. Nearing the end of her mother’s life she awoke one morning with a plan she quickly put on paper. It would be, she envisioned, a non-profit thrift store with the sales funding Alzheimer Research. “We couldn’t do without the help of our volunteers who couldn’t be better,” she said.

“Alzheimer’s isn’t waiting,” Mrs. Gaddis said. “Why should we? The communities certainly have not waited. Lots of good donations from near and far have poured in through our back doors to make this a wonderful store in which to shop for the kids, spend a day with Mom or sister, and rediscovering things of times gone by. Many of you join the thrill of the hunt searching thru the rock to find the diamonds.”

She said the people who donate and shop are wonderful people. “Donations come in every day and we are able to give a tax receipt at the time of the donation,“ she said. “They’re a big part of our team. I am only the vessel, my employees row the boat, but the public puts the wind in our sails. Hats off to all of you? Together we have achieved this unbelievable donations of $1,000,000,”

On August 29 she said the $250,000 donation is for the year. “This makes us realize our goal of our first $1,000.000. Now we are working on our second million,” she said.

”Here’s what is planned at the Thrift store Aug. 29: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be the celebration of 10 years and $1,000,000 donations. Festivities have been planned for the kids, face painting, jumping castle and bubble blowing. “You can coin toss and win a dish, and enjoy free hot dogs from 11 to 1, fresh churned ice cream 11 to 3, cake at 2:30.“ a Peak Band Festival will play from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Strictly Dixieland from 12 until 2 p.m. The big donation check will be presented at 2 P.M.

“We are inviting all!” she said, ”everyone who has made us successful. Thank you.”