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By Paula Pyzik Scott

In a departure from Bluffton Lions tradition, over 100 individuals were honored as 2024 Citizens of the Year at an April 15 celebration. Volunteers who support the three Et Cetera Inc. shops–the Et Cetera Thrift Shop, Book ReViews and Bluffton Ten Thousand Villages–were recognized for their impact on Bluffton’s downtown commercial district.

Celebrations took place at the fellowship hall of First Mennonite Church. Lion emcee John Rich, who numbers among the volunteers, said that these shops are an important part of what makes downtown Bluffton special and attracts so many out-of-town visitors. He commended the volunteers for helping make Bluffton “really a unique place.”

Rich recalled that growing up in Archbold, he and friends would pile into multiple cars to come to Luke’s for Scotch eggs. He chuckled that these days you can go to Lulu’s for a meal “and not recognize a soul.”

Et Cetera Inc. has two great purposes, Rich noted. One is to keep materials out of landfills. He added that some items that can’t be sold in the thrift store provide income as scrap metal. 

The shops’ other purpose is to support the overseas projects of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a nonprofit focused on “relief, development and peace in the name of Christ.” Rich commented that with recent cuts to international relief programs by the government, MCC relief programs are more important than ever.

Plaques for display in the stores were presented to the managers, which read, "Congratulations to the volunteers of Et Cetera Shop, Inc. You have been named Bluffton Citizens of the Year for 2024 by the Bluffton Lions Club. By cheerfully donating your time, energy and enthusiasm to the work of the Et Cetera Sho, Ten Thousand Villages and Book Reviews you have enhanced Bluffton’s business district, offered local recycling, and provided relief for millions of people suffering from around the world. Thank you.”

The volunteers of the Et Cetera thrift shop are a public face at the cash register and as greeters at the 327 N. Main store, which is open from 1:00-5:00 p.m.on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; as well as 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. That accounts for some 20 of the 90 volunteers. 

In the vast back room, volunteers unpack, sort, organize and price items with some shifts taking place on days when the store is closed. Manager Chrissy Lugibihl says “it’s like a swarm of locusts come and take it all away.” Perhaps most importantly, she notes, “We just have fun together. It’s a community and we look after each other.”

Bluffton Ten Thousand Villages, 115 S. Main St., has approximately 15 volunteers who assist customers as well as unpack merchandise and keep the displays tidy and stocked. Manager Wendy Chappell-Dick notes that volunteers bring a variety of interests. One may enjoy checking the food dates while another likes to polish jewelry. An important role is explaining the store’s mission to new shoppers: the products sold provide income opportunities for people trying to break the cycle of poverty. Volunteers also assist with off-site sales such as the upcoming Findlay Art Walk and Toledo Night Market.

Book ReViews, 123 S. Main St., just a few doors down from Ten Thousand Villages, sells gently used books with the help of some 20 volunteers. They assist donors when the books arrive at the front door, then provide all of the sorting, evaluating, labeling, and shelving of books. Volunteers also place books on eBay and help find books on a customer wish list. Assistant manager Joyce Daniels notes that all “find their spot”--what they like to do best.

Think that some faces in one shop can also be found in another? Daniels confirms that many volunteers work in more than one of the Et Cetera Inc. shops.

Et Cetera Inc. celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. A history of the shops is documented HERE.