Have you ever wondered what happens to items that are unclaimed from YVR’s Lost & Found desk? Perhaps you had a corkscrew or pair of nail clippers confiscated at YVR’s security screening prior to boarding a plane, or, had to offload some items from your luggage to meet airline baggage weight restrictions. Where do these items go? Often they end up at Vancouver Airport Chaplaincy’s Thrift Store on Miller Road right here on Sea Island.
Popular with airport staff and members of the local community, the Thrift Store opens every Friday from 12:00 noon – 5:00 p.m.
We checked it out as a team (some of us for our first time) and were quite impressed with what they had to offer, and how fashionable a lot of the items were. Sunglasses were a big hit with the team and we saw a few designer pairs for an incredible price. Personal favourites would have to be the bowling ball, the books that looked like they had just been purchased and the fact that they had a special where you could fill an entire bag of scissors for $5! (hello sewing & craft collection!)
YVR’s Chaplaincy, which has been operating since 1983 and is headed by Chaplain Layne Daggett, plays an important role at the airport ministering to the personal, social and spiritual needs of employees and the travelling public. The chaplains and volunteers work to provide assistance in many different ways including sourcing protective shelter for people in need, assisting stranded travellers who have no local contacts, conducting group and individual sessions to overcome a fear of flying as well as weddings and memorial services.
This is no small job, in 2010 the Chaplaincy administered to more than 8,500 visits and inquiries. Check out our video to tour the Chaplain Thrift Store or visit Vancouver Airport Chaplaincy’s website.