Kelton loves thrifting because it’s unique. You get to find items you would not see in a store and it’s a bonus because the prices are lower than retail! He also loves that Thrifting helps the environment and reduces waste.
Kelton got into thrifting honestly by just going to a thrift store one day and has been hooked ever since! He's usually in a thrift store 1-3 times a week.
One of his favourite Goodwill finds was a vintage Disney cassette player that was brand new in the box!
Kelton's personal style is a mix of vintage and trendy, as he loves a funky graphic tee, especially if it has Spider-Man on it! His style is influenced by lots of vintage trends as-well as bright fun colours.
As silly as it sounds would be to look around the entire store slowly and not to skip out on any sections… who knows, maybe a treasure has been moved around to an area less looked upon!
On a surface level, the thrill of the chase is what initially got Shelby into thrifting. The treasure hunt aspect of going into a thrift store not knowing what you can find is still fun to this day. The cycle of donating my items that she knows people will get use from while buying other items people donated is a beautiful system. Being able to support the community and non-profits while reducing waste and my carbon footprint is a great byproduct of thrift shopping. She’s also learnt so much through thrifting. Buying unique items that I know nothing about and going home to research and learn about those items has been a lot of fun. Putting in the time to research the history and background of vintage and antique items is something that she would not have done without thrifting. Being able to connect with friends, old and new, around this has been wonderful. Thrifting will continue to be part of her life and something I will always promote.
In November of last year, Jean-Guy found himself at a Goodwill retail store on the south end of Edmonton, purchasing a bag of watches for only $15. Within this bag was a 100 year old Cyma watch, dating back to a soldier from the first world war.
Engraved with H.G. Bessent (Bess-ENT) and a military number, this watch still works to this day, and Charest decided it was best to donate it back to its rightful home. The watch was sent to Grande Prairie, where the soliders son resides, reminiscing the memories from decades ago.
It’s the story that keeps getting better. When he returned the watch to it’s rightful owners in Grande Prairie, it started to get attention. First the local legion wrote a story. Then the local GP newspaper called. Then the Edmonton Journal called and sent a photographer and he was featured in the Edmonton Sun. Then CBC radio called and he did an in-studio interview with Jessica Ng the host of “Radio Active”. After the radio interview, he was blessed with more of their family calling him to share their thanks. Now, he's inducted into a Hall of Fame that all started with this watch.
GOD works in mysterious ways.
His motivation is my lack of cash and trying to find a good deal. He first got into thrifting to look for models to build during COVID. Soon after he realized that there’s treasure in those stores.
If being recognized for this achievement gives Jean-Guy a chance to make a difference. He hopes that more people would be more inclined to be honest.
Craig runs a podcast and radio show about Canadian History. Every Friday, Craig will visit thrift stores and hones in on the book racks looking for treasures about Canadian History. It isn’t just books that he thrifts; he also likes to look for vintage board games and clothing. Craig believes that each item at thrift stores has been loved before and by him “adopting” the books and games they were able to be loved once again.
Craig has a love for finding second-hand books for his research library. He’s found to-do lists from the 1980s, signed books by some of his favourite authors like Pierre Berton or Farley Mowat, and much more. Additionally, he loves finding classic board games and clothes that are more retro in their style – he even found a typewriter once.
One of his favourite Goodwill finds is a signed version of one of his favourite books called “And No Birds Sang” by Farley Mowat. He also loves the historic commemorative plates that he’s found, including one for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
This award honors Craig’s dedication to inspiring others to explore thrift stores and uncover their own stories.
Visit every thrift store you can because you never know what you will find.
Charlene started thrifting at a very young age. She grew up in a small town and had limited shopping options, so her sister would take her along to thrift stores with her friends!
Charlene's favorite Goodwill find is a pair of open-shelf nightstands. They were very dated and frankly just u-g-l-y, yet they had so much potential and couldn’t be left them behind.
When thrifting the first thing Charlene looks for is furniture. Anything unique, antique, mid-century modern, and in decent shape. She is also always thrifting for “staging” decor for my furniture pieces. She love's thrifting for artwork, brass figures, vases, wooden items, and milk glasses.
Winning this award means so much to her as she absolutely loves what she does and takes such pride in her work so to have that recognized and appreciated feels wonderful for her!
A thrift tip I have for someone just starting out would be to go early and go often! New things are put out every day and getting there early gives your first opportunity to find all the treasures.
For Marie, Thrifting just hits on so many of my values and interests. She likes spending less money and is always proud to say “I got this great thing and I didn't pay a fortune!” It’s all about the treasure hunt; the creativity of giving new life to old things, the thrill of finding just the right match or surprise of something she didn't set out to find, but just works so well.
Marie loves to keep stuff out of the landfills and that when she donates, someone else can use things I no longer need, and that proceeds go to non-profits. It feels good. It just makes sense; feeding the treasure hunter, artist, environmentalist, philanthropist, and yes, the cheapskate, parts of her all in one shopping trip!
Marie buys everything second-hand, if she can. For her cabin, she was determined to use as much found and thrifted items as possible, which was nearly everything. She’s extra proud of what she accomplished because shew was able to reuse and refurbish so much and it feels more meaningful.
From Edmonton, Goodwill has played a pivotal role, shaping Kaylee’s professional journey and creative expression. By transforming thrifted purses and dresses into whimsical fairy-tale inspired pieces, her creations are a testament to the endless possibilities thrift stores offer.
As a neuro-diverse individual, Goodwill has been the cornerstone of her ability to inspire others. Through her many upcycled DIY outfits and jackets, she creates masterpieces that belong on movie sets across the world!
She has always loved thrifting because it offers unique and affordable pieces that you can't find in regular stores. Her passion for it deepened when she became aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion. The low quality and unethical practices associated with new clothing made me want to shift towards second-hand shopping to reduce her footprint. It’s a more affordable, fun, and exciting way to shop!
Her favorite find is a giant plaster zebra, which sparked my obsession with DIY and upcycling. Another favorite is a Crayola sweater I found at the Goodwill bins for just $1—her husband says it's the one thing he thinks of when he thinks of me, and I wear it all the time. She loves browsing the toy and dress sections, as they bring joy to the kids she teaches or perform for.
For beginners, my tip is to visit thrift stores often and take your time exploring. Having a general plan can also help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Instagram: @kayleerosewray and on Facebook: Kay Rose Creative
Dawn is motivated to thrift because she loves creating and making something new again. The hunt for special items to craft inspires her to showcase her talent and passion for thrifting.
Her first trip to the thrift store was 30 years ago, and she remembers every detail. Her husband needed a few pairs of shorts to wear because they were going on a trip to Hawaii. It was in the middle of winter, and she couldn’t find them anywhere – so she thought, “why don’t I try thrifting?”. She knew right then and there that she was hooked, and 30 years later she is still going strong. Her heart and soul are at home when she is thrifting and creating.
Dawn’s favourite Goodwill finds are a pair of angel wings that she truly made her own by giving them the sparkle they deserved. Her grandson loves Thomas the Train, so she thrifted a dresser and turned it into a Thomas the Train dresser. She made it for him when he was 2 and he’s 12 now and still uses it. Incredible!
Winning this achievement is a dream come true for Dawn. It’s everything that completes her and what her soul needs for this creative community. She is very blessed and grateful to accept this award.
You have to go often and pick the items up, try them on and always look behind larger items - something is always hidden. Take your time to go through all the aisles.
College H.U.N.K.S., is a proud partner of Goodwill and a contributor to Goodwill’s sustainability initiatives through donations. Last year, Goodwill in received an all-time record of over 830 thousand donations. This is all thanks to the generosity of Albertans.
College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling has partnered with Goodwill to assist donors in the greater Edmonton area who are unable to bring their donations to a Goodwill donation center. Our hauling partner will not only bring your donations to Goodwill, but they will also clear out your items that Goodwill is unable to accept and take them to another nonprofit or recycler. Congratulations on being our honourary Donor of the Year!
Doreen started donating to Goodwill about 20 years ago, but donated a large amount last year. She shares this award with her mother, Eva who passed away last year. She donated so many of her belongings, and frequented the donation centre so often she feels like she owns a part of Goodwill!
Doreen's mother Eva had a lifetime of treasures and there were things that needed a place and a new beginning, and so off to Goodwill they went.
In addition to donating, she is also an avid thrifter. She loves to find both useful and unique items and she's always looking for a good bargain, and combining old with new!
My thrift tip is to always have an open mind in a thrift shop.
It really is a treasure hunt and I have found many treasures over the years and had some very lucky days. So go once a week!
Elly’s thrifting started when she was a very young single girl trying to find fashionable outfits that cost far less than the prices at retail stores.
When she married, she continued to thrift for clothing but also for housewares as well as sporting goods and toys. Her family learned the value of thrifting.
Their lifestyle involved a number of moves to different locations for employment which meant that every time they moved, they had to first donate many items to thrift, and then they had the opportunity to find new and interesting “finds” for their new house.
Unfortunately, Elly had a stroke in July of 2022. In January of 2023, she made the decision to move into an Independent Living Retirement Community. Again, downsizing was necessary as moving from a house to an apartment was a huge adjustment. Elly made many trips to Goodwill on Macleod Trail to donate, sometimes two trips per day.
She has spent the last months shopping for new décor items for my new residence and still donates any items to Goodwill that are replaced or no longer used.
A sustainably minded professional organizer, Kaytlyn is continually making trips to Goodwill to donate carloads of items from clients. Her team at Sort and Simple love to encourage their decluttering clients to donate their items so that they can have a new life and make a positive impact. She has donated so often that she is on a first name basis with many donation attendants.
As a Professional Organizer everyday she sees how much we already own, and how much stuff is already out there. She loves to find the items I need second hand, knowing that it decreases waste and brings new life to items that have already been produced.
Thrifting is a great way for the right items to find you. Don’t be disappointed if it takes time to find the real gems!
www.sortandsimple.ca | @Sort_and_Simple | Facebook: @Sort And Simple
Shelby isn’t just a thrifter, she is a community builder, a sustainability advocate, and someone who sees the beauty and value in everything (and everyone).
What really separates Shelby apart from others is her passion to give back. Not only does she donate to Goodwill, she gives back to many other organizations in Alberta! She responds to local animal rescue groups’ calls for towels by hunting them in the “thrift bins”, picking up a bunch of towels and donating them. She once thrifted 30 jackets for homeless folks when another organization made known they needed some.
In addition to this, she enjoys setting up a “clothing swap” to encourage sustainability but also raise money for ARTS Senior Animal Rescue and raised close to $1,500 for them!
What stood out in Shelby’s nomination was how she uses her Goodwill as a springboard to make a meaningful impact in the community.
This nomination means a lot to Shelby. It makes her feel truly seen and recognized. She is honoured to be able to give back to the community, to celebrate alongside others who share the same values, and most of all, to share this moment with her husband – the person who believed in her enough to put her name forward!
Go thrifting with someone who’s just as passionate about it as you are—or even more! Their excitement is contagious and can make the whole experience even more fun. Plus, they’ll encourage you to try on things you might not pick for yourself—and those can end up being your favorite finds. Also, don’t be afraid to explore different types of thrift spots: racks, bins, vintage boutiques, consignment shops… Each one offers a different vibe and selection. You might discover that one style of store suits you way more than the others!
Emilie loves thrifting because it gets me out of my head and becomes a scavenger hunt for beautiful pieces with history or a unique story. There are no rules when thrifting. She gets in a flow when she thrifts and truly appreciates the full experience - from the sound of the metal hangers on the metal rack to the aisle traffic jams to the discovery of a beautiful 1960s tag that she has never seen before.
Although Emilie did not thrift as a child, in high school, she would go to vintage stores and feel the history. She has always been someone who loves shopping and who loves a deal.
It was only in 2019 that Emilie discovered thrifting through fashion and style podcasts that opened her world up to a more sustainable way of living my dreams. She now only thrifts - from decor in her closet, everything is secondhand and thrifted and I feel rejuvenated and relieved by it.
Go into the thrift store knowing what kind of prints and/or colours you are looking for! You can train your eye to only look at the pieces that fit within those parameters. Bring a measuring tape and compare to your own measurements. But remember, if the clothes don't fit, it's not your body that is wrong, it is the clothing.
As the owner and founder of all things gq. Grace runs her own curated vintage shop and is also a sustainable stylist. Grace has been styling since the beginning of the year and is using only secondhand and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories. She loves bringing life back to pre-loved items because they still have so much wear to them.
She absolutely loves sustainable fashion and being able to help people be more conscious about their wardrobe with her styling services and shop selection. It makes her so happy.
Tiktok and instagram handles are @allthingsgq_
From creating a sustainable, ethical fashion brand to every day wear, Lauren is a massive advocate for circular fashion. Every outfit is different, authentic and on-of-a-kind, found at local thrift stores across the region. She loves the hunt of vintage and thrifted finds and when the mood strikes, she upcycles the outfits into a new personable style, giving her an excuse to use her sewing machine.
She has spent so much of her life wanting to be a presence in the fashion world and it just didn’t pan out in the way she envisioned, despite her best efforts, hard work and many years working directly in the industry. To receive this award is truly an honour and she feels it represents her journey in the fashion world beautifully. Her path here was certainly not a straight line and she is so proud of this achievement.
Make sure you’re in the right mindset to be patient and enjoy it. It’s okay to leave and come back at a different time if you’re not feeling it.
Her motivation for thrifting comes from love. More specifically, self-love. She has a love for creating. A lot for leaving behind a healthier earth for future generations. A love for authenticity. A love for one-of-a-kind pieces. And a love for giving back to local communities.
Her story is quite unique, but very memorable. She is a cult girl. Born, raised, and married inside an extremist sect in Sherwood Park, AB. Even in that world, she used fashion to rebel – bright colours, mixed patterns, and she paid the price for it.
Seven years ago, she got out. Since then, she’s been on a journey of reclaiming who she is, beneath the indoctrination, beneath the shame, beneath the silence. Thrifting is part of that reclamation for her.
One of her favourite Goodwill finds was a U of A hoodie. This year, she became an Educational Assistant with the Edmonton Public School Board – working with junior high students with high behaviours. She adores her work, and this hoodie seemed like a sign from the universe that she made the right choice.
Breanna’s style is eclectic, bold, and a little rebellious. It bends the rules, just like she had to.
www.notamommyblog.ca or @thebreannabrown
My biggest thrifting tip for beginners: Don’t go in without a plan. Pick one or two items to look for so you don’t get overwhelmed. A single aisle is enough magic.
Ashleigh and Heather Bit love to thrift for the thrill and to find unique treasures. They try as hard as possible not to participate in buying anything new. Their mom, aka thrift queen, started taking them to the thrift store when they were little and introduced us to the magical world of thrifting, and they have been addicted ever since.
One of their favourite Goodwill finds is their antique Medalta crockpot, it’s beautiful! The duo mostly love to shop for home goods, as that’s where the magic happens! But they frequently shop for thrift clothing as well!
Take your time, be patient, manifest a list of what you would like to find, and go frequently. Some days will be more rewarding than others, but don't give up, keep hunting.
Nancy is the creator behind Simply Styled Inspo where she shares all things DIY, decor and of course thrifting! She is truly passionate about thrifting and finding items to upcycle and integrate into her home decor that add the perfect touch of charm. There’s a thrill that comes with thrift shopping and seeing what treasure comes your way, not to mention it’s kind of therapeutic!
She absolutely loves finding unique pieces, giving them new life and completely transforming them into something else. She has become known for her thrift flips and hope to continue to inspire and be inspired within the wonderful thrift community.
As an interior designer out of Edmonton, Katie sources items from local thrift shops like Goodwill. She shares her finds, tips and transformations to showcase how beautiful second-hand decorating can be. Every week, you can find her in a thrift store supporting her business Reclaiming Home Decorating. Katie is an excellent role model for anyone who wants to source items sustainably to create a beautiful home.
She is greatly inspired by any creative who fully embraces their individual style and showcases it fearlessly. She is deeply influenced by people who don’t just follow trends or care about what everyone else is doing, but instead pursue what they love and what reflects their personal style. They show her that she can be bold in doing the same.
She describes her personal style as cozy, collected, and vintage. She is always drawn to items that look like they have a story to tell.
When you first start thrifting, it can feel overwhelming. A good idea is to create a list of things you need or want on your phone or in a notebook so that you can remember to look for specific things. This will help you focus and not get overwhelmed by looking at all the things you don’t need.
You can follow her on Instagram: @reclaiminghomedecorating TikTok: @reclaiminghomedecorating
Website: www.reclaiminghome.ca
She is thrilled to be nominated by a fellow thrifter who shares her views of thrifting – that it enhances your personal style, saves you money, and promotes the circular motion of goods in our world. She hopes to inspire other to see it that way.
When she’s not in a thrift store, you can usually find her being a mom, selling eggs from her farm, or picking up the occasional shift as a RN. She is grateful for each of these parts of her life – but what really lights her up is creating a home filled with second-hand treasures and crazy paint colours. Being recognized for something that feels so deeply to her is an honour.
She is a collector of collections. Current collections she is working on are ceramic geese and décor for their Bridgerton+60s/70s mashup primary bedroom makeover. Collections she has had so much fun with in the past include vintage globes, enough books to put in rainbow order, vintage Pyrex/Federal Glass/Fire king etc. for display, art for a gallery wall, and ceramic owls.
Her passion for thrifting comes from living as a maximalist on a minimalist’s budget!
Make a list of what you’re looking for and be patient. The thrift universe will provide!
From Edmonton, and part of the morning show team on Kiss 91.7fm, Robbie’s fan base spoke loud and often about having him inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame. As an avid thrifter and donor, he is selfless, passionate and not only thrifts for the deal, but for the betterment of society. His heart of gold resonates with our community and his positivity inspires others to make a greater impact in our province. If you get a chance, definitely support the Robbie fund to help people in Robbie’s community.
Based out of Calgary, Trista’s support team was out of this world! Trista received multiple nominations and many supporters continue to vocalize their support for her in the world of thrifting. She spends most of her mornings during the week at the Goodwill bins and always manages to find amazing pieces. Her local business ‘Ugh its Vintage’ is a staple in the Calgary thrifting community for all things fashion. Her goal is to reduce textile waste by showing others how easy it is to live a second-hand life.
Since middle school she would thrift here and there but during university she went through a huge phase where she hated dressing like others. Whenever she would need a new outfit instead of going to the mall, she began going to thrift stores trying to find one of a kind, eye catching pieces. Slowly her closet became over 90% second-hand.
One of Trista's favourite Goodwill finds was a vintage Burberry wool trench coat at the bins. The tag read “Burberry’s” which was their original name before changing it in the 90s. She loves finding pieces from brands that have been around for ever, being able to see the evolution of the items and branding is so cool.
Patience patience patience. Just like going to the mall or online shopping you’re going to have to look at a lot of items before you find the perfect fit.
Desiree is the visionary force behind Seconds Collective – Calgary’s coolest vintage and second-hand market – and has built far more than just a place to shop. She’s created a platform where small businesses, upcyclers, and creative entrepreneurs can thrive.
Desiree doesn’t just talk about sustainability – she lives it. She’s redefined what it means to shop second-hand by turning it into a fun, accessible, and inclusive experience. From creative pop-ups to thoughtful vendor curation, she elevates vintage and preloved goods into something truly special. Her passion, creativity, and leadership have helped shape a more conscious local economy – one where circular fashion isn’t just a trend, but a lifestyle.
More than anything, Desiree has empowered countless others to believe in the value of what they do. Her impact is tangible in every booth, every transaction, and every customer who walks away with something meaningful.
She is a true community builder, a champion of small business, and a trailblazer in the world of second-hand. She truly deserves this award!
Go often, go early and don't be afraid to dig.
Instagram: @justdesireebella @seconds.collective
Richard is passionate about thrifting! He is also passionate about creating a home that is unique, beautiful and comfortable for those who live in it as well as guests. He has a knack for seeing something at Goodwill and imagining how it could be used to decorate our home. One of his favourite things to do is to go to Goodwill and walk around. He says he sees objects and imagines how they could be used or how they could be altered to become something beautiful.
He has also become the person that others will ask to find them things at Goodwill. In fact, last month he flew to Ontario to see his sister and brought a suitcase full of Goodwill treasures to help her decorate her house. He also really enjoys keeping an eye out for special objects to contribute to others’ collections.
One of Richard's favourite Goodwill finds was an Armani suit that happened to fit like a glove. He wore that suit many times over his work career and loved it!
I would say, it's good to have a list in your mind of things you'd like to look for but don't expect to find what you're looking for right away; be open to possibilities. Some of my best finds have been things that showed up when I wasn't even looking for them. Also, things can be painted if they're the "wrong" colour. Clothes can be altered. Finally, be persistent and patient. Go often and trust that you will eventually find what you're looking for. Have fun!
Bree’s passion for thrifting is the thrill of the hunt, but it goes way deeper than that. She loves knowing that every second-hand piece she brings home is one less item heading to the landfill. She is all about sustainability, circular fashion, and making conscious choices that still feel creative and fun. Thrifting allows her to express herself, tell stories through fashion and décor, and build a life that’s kind to the planet.
Bree started thrifting out of necessity – growing up, it was the way she could stay on budget. Somewhere along the way, it turned into something she genuinely loved. It became her ritual: grab a coffee, hit the thrift, and see what treasures were waiting. Nothing beats the rush of finding something amazing. Now, it’s about slowing down for her. Saying no to overproduction, and filling her life with pieces that are unique, soulful, and don’t cost the earth – literally.
Winning this award is so special to Bree because it’s more than just a title – it’s recognition for something she’s poured her heart into for years. Thrifting has been a huge part of her life, from making it work on a budget to building a business and lifestyle around sustainability and second-hand treasures. To be seen and celebrated for that – especially by a place like Goodwill that’s rooted in community and purpose – means everything to Bree. It’s a full-circle moment for her and she’s very grateful.
My top thrift tips for beginners? First off, don’t rush the racks—take your time and really look. The magic’s in the little details, and the best finds are usually the ones you almost miss. Second, go often and go early. Goodwill is always getting new stock, everyday…, and the more you go, the better your eye gets. Lastly, trust your gut, not the size label. If something speaks to you, try it on! Sizing can be all over the place with vintage, and the best pieces are usually hiding where you least expect them.
