Portage Resale Center gives back

PORT CLINTON — To celebrate the Portage Resale Center's 10th anniversary, the group donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Ottawa County nonprofits. Over $200,000 was handed out to over 30 area organizations as the shop celebrated its 10th year anniversary. The Portage Resale Center is a nonprofit organization that resales clothing, furniture and other goods and gives its profits back to Ottawa County nonprofits that aid those in need. The center, at 301 W. Second St., operates mostly through volunteers. Over the last nine years, the center has awarded more than $1 million to Ottawa County nonprofits. Each October, organizations can apply for a grant from the resale center. The Portage Resale Center's board chooses the recipients, usually giving back to 30-40 organizations. "All the money that we make goes back to our county agencies that help other people," Linda Snyder said. Snyder and her husband, Robert "Bob" Snyder, who died in April, founded the center. "It's only been nine years and we've given over $1 million to Ottawa County organizations. It's a very special day and I know my husband would have loved to be here," Snyder said. "We're giving back over $200,000 to our recipients today. You are really needed. You are so important and I'm so happy we can help you do what you do." Snyder said without the volunteers at the center, those who donate items and the center's customers, giving back wouldn't be possible. The center started out in four rooms at the Portage Elementary School but quickly outgrew the space. Mary Heineman donated the building to the organization, where the shop currently is located. Store manager Cheryl Ross said every day at the resale center is like a treasure hunt. "I love the purpose of the center and participating it," Ross said. "It's a lot of hard work that keeps you here. People don't realize the effort of going through everything and putting it out." Over the years, Ross said they've had some amazing items come through, and some hidden gems, like a turquoise necklace that fell out of a broken wooden box. Volunteer Betty Kaye said her fellow volunteers and their passion made her want to start volunteering at the shop. "I used to be a customer. Everybody is welcome here, it's an all-inclusive place," Kaye said. "We get people in from all over the place and it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from." Recipients of funds on Tuesday were: Seed Faith Food Pantry, Women Helping Young Mothers, Grace Lutheran Church, Genoa Area Community Food Bank, Light House Sober Living Men's House, Light House Sober Living Women's House, Oak Harbor Alliance Chapel, BCS Food Pantry, United Way of Ottawa County, Bataan Memorial Elementary School - Kendra Van Doren, Bataan Memorial Elementary School - Lynne O'Neal, The Salvation Army, Ottawa County Holiday Bureau, Danbury Food Share Program, Ida Rupp Public Library, The Oak House, Friends of the Marblehead Peninsula Library, Shoreline Church Food Pantry, Shoreline Church Car Care Ministry, Cancer Services, Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center, Great Lakes Community Action Partnership - Ruth Ann House, St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, Joyful Connections, American Red Cross, Champions for Children, Bible Methodist Chruch, Ottawa County Juvenile Court, Port Clinton Firefighters Association, Firelands Presbyterian Church - Dee's Pantry, Ottawa County Transitional House, Engaging Opportunities Foundation - Christy's Corner, Clothing Corral, ARC of Ottawa County, Habitat for Humanity and Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center.