Thrift Shop to celebrate volunteer’s first century

  • Published
  • By R. Nial Bradshaw, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The Hill Thrift Shop will celebrate a milestone birthday of one of its volunteers with an open-house and meet-and-greet here, Aug. 3.

Lela Gibson, who has volunteered at the Hill Thrift Shop since 2009, will be honored by coworkers and friends as she turns 100 years old.

“She is inspiring. Everybody has excuses why they can’t volunteer, but when she comes in and works as many hours as she does there’s no excuses. The bar is held pretty high when she comes in every Thursday,” said Hill Thrift Shop Manager Lenette Girres.

Lela works at the thrift shop eight hours every Thursday, sorting shirts and hanging them on racks.

“She enjoys getting out and her favorite thing is meeting the people that come into the shop,” said Larry Gibson, her son.

According to Girres, Lela is a key part of the thrift shop family and customers stop in regularly to say hello to her.

Anyone with base access is welcome to drop by the thrift shop Aug. 3 beginning at 10 a.m. to wish Lela a happy birthday, see what the shop has to offer, and inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Lela plans to spend her actual 100th birthday, Aug. 5, at home with family and friends.