The Second Mile Welcomes New Director

"You never know what's going to come in [terms of donations]," says Marge Clayton, new director of Grinnell's ecumenical thrift shop, The Second Mile. Clayton sits at her office desk, overcome by stacks of papers and binders stuffed with even more papers.

"At this point, it's a little overwhelming," she admits, "but I knew what I was getting into." It was only her second day on the job at the time of this interview, but she still manages to smile calmly from behind large-rimmed glasses. Her first day started on Nov. 12, 2007.

Just outside of her door are shelves, racks, and bins brimming with toys, books, trinkets, and clothes that could easily take a full day to browse through. Walking through the store is almost like wading through a permanent garage sale---and that is part of its customer appeal, according to Clayton.

Clayton believes that the "variety" of merchandise and the "low prices" attract costumers. But what most attracted Clayton to The Second Mile's directorial position after former director Jonie Bayles quit to take care of her ill husband (further explained in the Nov. 8, 2007 edition of the Grinnell Herald-Register) was the opportunity to benefit the community. The Second Mile gives its proceeds to numerous sources in the area, such as Grinnell Ministerial Association and local safety departments.

"I had been in retail for about six years [when] this opening came up. I applied and fortunately was hired," Clayton states. "I just liked retail and working with the public." Previously, Clayton worked at Rags-to-Riches and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance.

Clayton is The Second Mile's only paid employee and works at The Seven Mile seven hours a day, five days a week. Everyone else is a volunteer, most of who were recruited by word of mouth. The majority of them are senior citizens. Some volunteers work on a regular basis, while other volunteer less often. Clayton never volunteered at The Second Mile and only shopped there rarely in the past, although she had known about it for years. After all, The Second Mile has a relatively long history in Grinnell.