LAKEPORT, Calif. – Hospice Services of Lake County is celebrating National Thrift Shop Day on Friday, Aug. 17, and encourages community members to shop at the organization’s three store locations to snag good deals and support the work of Hospice Services of Lake County.

“With each purchase, shoppers contribute to our ability to serve Lake County residents with compassionate end-of-life care and bereavement services,” said Corrigan Gommenginger, chief executive officer for the nonprofit agency. “During National Thrift Shop Day, thrifters not only celebrate the value of up-cycling, re-using, smart shopping and thrift fashion, they also impact the well-being of fellow community members.”

Local Hospice thrift stores are marking the occasion by sponsoring a “Shop Hop” promotion.

Customers will enjoy storewide discounts and, by making purchases at two stores on Aug. 17 and 18, their names will be entered to win one of three gift baskets valued at over $50 each.

Refreshments will be served in stores during the “Shop Hop” event.

Shopping at local Hospice thrift stores helps the economy and contributes to the mission of providing meaningful and valued services to individuals with serious illnesses and individuals who are grieving from the loss of a loved one, said Gommenginger.

Proceeds from the thrift store sales provide significant funding for the annual Wings of Hope Bereavement camps and school-based grief counseling offered by Hospice Services of Lake County.

In the past 12 months, 2,280 grief counseling sessions were provided to adults and children, and grief counselors served youth in 16 schools.

Customers are encouraged to optimize a thrift store shopping experience by going to stores often since new merchandise is added daily, and to pay attention to the weekly sales especially when there are deals of up to 50 percent off on popular items.

Hospice thrift stores are open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and are located in Lakeport at 1717 S. Main St., at 14290 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake and at 21297 Calistoga Road in Middletown.

Gently used donations are welcome between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on days that stores are open for business.

For more information on the upcoming “Shop Hop” event or thrift store operations, call 707-263-6332 and ask for Chris.

Janine Smith-Citron is development director for Hospice Services of Lake County.