(Dec. 15, 2016) Each December, Berlin’s Church Mouse Thrift Shop acts as Santa Claus for area nonprofits.
This year, Church Mouse will give more than $6,000 in charitable contributions to other groups.
For Helen Wiley, who runs the shop as an outreach for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, this is by far the busiest time of the year.
“Oh my gosh,” she said, looking at a long list of beneficiaries. “We kind of work all year long to meet our goal to give to those need. December seems to our big push.”
In terms of this year’s fundraising, the Church Mouse will donate to the Spirit Kitchen, Berlin Baptist Food Pantry, NOEL (of St. Paul’s By-The-Sea), Toys for Tots, Believe in Tomorrow House by the Sea, Bless Our Children, Diakonia, Samaritan Homeless Shelter in Pocomoke, Episcopal Relief and Meals on Wheels.
“Just for the month of December, we’ve given out more than $6,000,” Wiley said. “We raised that money through donations from folks [that] we’ve accumulated over time. All the money that we make, we raise the money to be able to do those programs.”
That the Church Mouse can have such a big impact, Wiley said, is a tribute to the kindness exhibited by people in town.  
“People need to know that what a great community that Berlin is,” she said. “For example, Inca Ruins has looked out for me and donated a lot of new products. Other merchants in the town of Berlin have donated, as well as friends of the Church Mouse. So, their generosity and their willingness to give and to share has enabled us to do those programs.”
Beyond benefiting other nonprofits and community groups, the Church Mouse also supports individuals in need. This Christmas, two local families and four seniors have been “adopted” by the shop and will receive meals and gifts during the Christmas holiday.
“Sometimes, people just come into the Church Mouse because they want a friendly smile or someone to talk to, and things come up that we don’t expect to happen – maybe somebody’s been in an accident and their bills are high. We’re willing to put money toward their needs – to subsidize some kind of funding for that,” Wiley said. “You never know what can come around.”
By the end of the year, Wiley said there’s a little bit of fatigue but more grateful feelings for all the support she and the outreach receive.
“It’s a very busy time for people individually for their own families, but when you are blessed with what the Church Mouse is able to do and you know it’s made a difference in somebody’s [life], it relieves any kind of tension or exhaustion that you might have,” she said. “It lifts you up and it gives you joy in your heart, seeing folks content with what they’ve been given and appreciating it.”
Wiley said while there are plenty of negative stories in both the local and national news, it’s important to reflect on all the good things going on in the area.
This time of year, especially, she said, merchants and others in the community are asking her, “What can I do to help?”
To donate in-season clothes or smaller items to the Church Mouse, visit the shop on 101 North Main Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For larger donations, including cash, contact Wiley at 443-513-6655 or email helenbuttercup@verizon.net.