KTRV Fox 12 Veterans Opening New Thrift Store

Veterans Opening New Thrift Store

Boise, Idaho -- Veterans helping veterans. That's the push behind a new store in Boise called Vets4success.

The money they make from the store will go right back to the veterans.

Robert Gillespie knows how much veterans have done for us.He's a former Navy man himself. He also knows that we sometimes take their service for granted. That's why he's throwing his heart and soul into this project.

“Just think about everything we have today. Everything that we are. Somebody gave their life, to give us that freedom, that we take for granted,” said Gillespie, the eVets4success's executive director.

They've started remodeling this store that they'll turn it into the Vets4success thrift store.

The founder, a retired Army colonel, Glenn O’dell, says he got the idea when he was in another thrift shop. That’s when he realized the way to help fund programs for veterans was to open their own thrift store.

He said that as the men and women come home from current wars there will be even more veterans that need our help.

“There just aren't enough helping hands to take care of all these veterans, which includes WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I realized we need to figure out a way to generate a cash stream, congress won't have the money to help,” said O’Dell.

They hope to have their doors open by Dec. 15, but say they can't do that without your help.

“All the money the store generates, it's going to go back to the veterans,” said Gillespie.

That money will be used to help them with medical, hospital and housing expenses and help get them back to real life.

“It's also going back for training and getting a job. One of the programs that we have, is the vets will come here and work in the store to gain job skills, so they can get back in the workforce,” said Gillespie.

Here's what you need to know if you'd like to help. They really only need three things -- helping hands, money and donations.

You can go by their store at Curtis and Franklin from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also call them at 440-5735.