I always knew it was there. I saw the signs when it was in the old building in downtown Gresham, Oregon, just east of Portland. I watched them move into their new building as they expanded and drooled over the amazing trees that appeared on the windows surrounding really neat articles of clothing and household goods on display. Chase Me Again was a thrift shop, I knew that, and just right up my alley. The first week in their new building they had a dress made out of neck ties in the window. I knew then that I needed to visit this wonderful little store. What I didn’t know was that Chase Me Again is more than a thrift shop; it’s a shop on a mission to change lives.
Chase Me Again is a nonprofit organization open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to at least 4:00 pm and is run completely by a volunteer staff. Located at 298 NE 2nd Street on the corner of Hood and NE 2nd, they consider themselves the “back door” to Historic Downtown Gresham.
Chase Me Again raises money for their community by reselling items donated by others. One of those organizations that receives money from Chase Me Again is My Father’s House, one of the only homeless shelters that serves families. Most shelters are either men or women only, and children cannot stay with men in most of the men’s shelters, so families are often torn apart by homelessness. My Father’s House helps to keep families together. Once every month, the residents of My Father’s House get to go shopping at Chase Me Again at no cost to them.
Now that I know more about this fabulous little shop, there is a red coat in the window that I’ve been eying. I think I just might go see if it’s still there tomorrow, and hopefully it’s my size. If not, I’m sure there are some treasures there that will find their way home with me.
How can you help? Clean out your closets and take your donations to Chase Me Again. Instead of going Christmas shopping at a big box store and buying things that were made in China, keep your money in our community and help others in need at the same time. Volunteer your time by dropping into the store and filling out a volunteer application and give the gift of time.
Trust me, you’re gonna love it!
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