The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
-by Melanie Sharpe-Lessen-Quill Reporter
The Operation Care Center is something new in La Harpe. It is located at 112 East Main Street.
The operation is run out of the old B.I. Mueller Family Clinic building. When you walk in the door you are greeted by volunteers that are members of the Agape Christian Fellowship.
Tuesday, Judy Hobby and Louise White were the volunteers at the center.
Each room of the old clinic is exploding with gently worn clothing, all free for anyone who needs them. There is one entire room of women's dress clothes, as well as, a room full of jeans, pants, and t-shirts. Another room contains dozens of men's, women's, and children's shoes. Yet another room contains all menswear from shorts to sports jackets.
Toward the back of the center there is a children's clothing room in sizes from infant to preteen. In the front reception area there are various linens and small household items, and children will be happy to know there is also a room containing toys.
The center was started by two members of the Agape Christian Fellowship, Harry and June Miller of Colchester. The couple began this operation out of their home to help anyone in need of clothing or furniture. They began with receiving donations from their congregation. Harry and June would let the congregation know what the need was, and the members would fill it.
The center is ready and waiting for families shopping for summer clothes and on the lookout for new school clothes. The only problem the center has is that it is getting so full of donations, they need people to come in and take some of the clothing to make way for fall and winter attire.
Everyone is encouraged to come in and take a look. As stated earlier, everything is free of charge, and there are no forms or applications to fill out, no stipulations. Donations are accepted, but not expected.
Besides the community's clothing donations, Lollipops consignment shop in Macomb donates a lot of very nice clothing as well. Currently the Operation Care Center is open on Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 a .m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The volunteers from Agape Christian Fellowship are Alta Hutchinson, Sally Young, and Judy Balner, to name a few, as well as, Judy Hobby and her mother, Elaine White.
If you would like more information, call: Harry and June Miller at 309-776-3511 or Jack and Alta Hutchinson at 217-659-3434.
Also cash donations to defray expenses can be mailed to: Operation Care, P.O. Box 573, La Harpe, IL 61450.
The Center would like to get the word out that they're here on Main Street waiting to assist in any way. Please stop by, they'll be happy to see you.