Polly DeLange Administrative Assistant, REM Iowa Community Services
Grant Recipient, Winnie's Wishes

Polly DeLange dedicates her free time volunteering at a local non-profit organization called Winnie’s Wishes, a resale store in downtown Davenport, IA. Winnie’s collects gently used clothing, jewelry, formal dresses, furniture, appliances and many other items to sell at the shop, and donates the proceeds to Winnie’s Place, a shelter for women and children who are homeless and/or victims of domestic abuse. When these women are ready to move on from the shelter, they are invited to the shop to select furniture, dishware, lamps, and other items to furnish their new living spaces. Some women even become volunteers at the shop.

Polly became involved with Winnie’s Wishes 3 years ago, right around the time the shop opened. She was looking for a way to help people in her free time and Winnie’s was the perfect fit. Now a seasoned volunteer, Polly serves as a Team Lead at Winnie’s, managing and recruiting volunteers in addition to running the shop two Saturdays a month. Polly has encouraged nearly all other colleagues at REM Iowa Community Services to support the shop in various ways: staffing the store, donating items, attending special events, etc.

Winnie’s Wishes will receive a $500 grant from The Foundation in honor of Polly’s volunteer spirit and hard work.