THE Polo Council of Churches used clothing store opened its doors June 1987.
The store’s history is based on a used clothing store staffed by the Polo Ambulance driver’s personnel, which operated for nine years. In early 1987 the drivers were no longer able to continue with the store, so a group of women from the Polo First United Methodist Church, led by Rev. Kay Dillard and Linda Engelbarts, prepared a plan and presented it to the Polo Council of Churches. The plan covered three main needs which each church would be expected to handle; a person to serve on the not-for-profit organization board, a drop-off place for donated clothing, and volunteers to work in the store for one week every 3-4 months.
Second Hand Rose held its grand opening on June 27, 1987. Its first location was on North Franklin Avenue. On May 23, 1988, it moved to 104 East Mason Street and the days and hours to be open were increased.
Each year money not used for expenses is returned to the community under the direction of Second Hand Rose’s board of directors. During the first 18 months all proceeds were used for expenses, however, from 1989 through 1994 Second Hand Rose contributed a total of $16,325.00 to the community. The total disbursed as of 2008 year end was $86,988.00. At the end of 2011 over $90,000.00 was donated.
Recipients of proceeds from the store are the Polo Fire Dept., Polo Schools, Polo Library, Town and Country Days Parade Fund, Ogle County Crop Walk, Ogle County Hospice, Village of Progress, Polo Area Community Theatre, Polo Historical Society, Polo Lifeline and many other organizations.
Second Hand Rose sells children’s, men’s and women’s clothes, not to mention countless shoes, toys, small appliances and books. Donations of nice and clean items may be dropped off at the Polo Church of the Brethren and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Current board members are Carol Garkey, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Sharon Miller, Faith Discovery Church, Tressa Sheely, Pine Creek Christian Church, Arlene Blum, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Rita Jacks, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Margaret Scholl, East Jordan United Methodist Church, Bill Hare, Polo Church of the Brethren, Linda Colcord, Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Wanda Meiners, Emmanuel United Methodist Church, and Mary Landis, Polo First United Methodist Church.
Just to operate the all-volunteer store takes countless hours to sort clothes, price them and put them on the racks. If anyone is interested in volunteering at the store, contact the churches, board members or the store at 946-2529.
The store is open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.
