Sharlene Hoffman sorts through coats while helping a customer at her shop, Sharlene's Essentials, at the Yard Birds Shopping Mall in Chehalis on Monday. Hoffman is part of the Lewis County Friends Helping Friends Facebook page and gives some of her second-hand products away to needy families for the holidays.
Sharlene Hoffman offers up a make-up kit to a customer who is need for presents for the holiday at her shop at the Yard Birds Shopping Mall in Chehalis on Monday. Hoffman is one of 4,000 members of the Lewis County Friends Helping Friends Facebook page and gives some of her second-hand products away to needy families for the holidays.
Sharlene Hoffman stands amongst racks of used clothing at there shop, Sharlene's Essentials, at the Yard Birds Shopping Mall in Chehalis on Monday.
Sharlene Hoffman stands at the entrance to her store space in the Yard Birds Shopping Mall in Chehalis on Monday.
Sharlene Hoffman carries a box full of gifts that she is giving to a customer in need for the holidays at there store at the Yard Birds Shopping Mall in Chehalis on Monday.
Wearing an elf hat and sporting a bright smile, Sharlene Hoffman spent Monday handing out free toys and clothes from her shop, Sharlene’s Essentials, inside the Yard Birds Mall in Chehalis.
Hoffman, who opened her shop in late May, helped people on Monday pick out free items for Christmas. One woman picked out a nail polish kit and toy trucks for an 11-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. The woman then found a winter coat for herself with the help of Hoffman.
“When I see a need, I try to help people,” Hoffman said. “I want everyone to have a little something if they can.”
Hoffman announced the free gifts on the Friends Helping Friends of Lewis County Facebook page early Monday morning. Hoffman, one of the first to join the Facebook page two years ago, said it helps her connect with needy people in the community.
“On the Friends Helping Friends page, I’ll look at it and say, ‘I have that,” Hoffman said. “I love this store because I get to help people.”
Scrolling through the Friends Helping Friends of Lewis County Facebook page shows post after post from those in need around the county.
Accompanying each post are even more comments from people like Hoffman willing to donate or help others in the community.
“It’s amazing to watch people give from their heart,” Ruth Crear, the founder of Friends
Helping Friends of Lewis County, said. “It’s amazing to watch it grow and help more than just Lewis County.”
The online group, created in 2011, has gained nearly 4,000 members who use the site to ask for help or give help to others. With inspiration from the group, people from nine other counties in Washington have created their own versions of the site, including in Thurston, Pacific and Cowlitz counties.
“In these times of economic crisis, it is important to help our neighbors in times of need,” writes the Friends Helping Friends of Thurston County page. “We have all struggled in our lives where we are not sure who to turn to for help. This page is for you, for all of us.”
Crear, a Cowlitz-Lewis County Fire District 20 firefighter, personally picks up and drops off donated goods for members of the site. Crear routinely receives private messages asking for help along with public posts on the site’s wall.
Other members of the group are also constantly coordinating ways to help each other out.
“I hate to do this because usually I like to help others, but this year has been very hard on me and my family and I have two boys who are not gonna have a Christmas unless I can get some help somewhere,” wrote one person on the site Monday afternoon. “I tried Salvation Army but had to be at the doctor yesterday for some tests because of my health and now they won’t let me pick up my packages or dinner, so I’m asking anyone if they could help a 1-year-old and a 9-year-old have a Merry Christmas please. Thank you all very much.”
That person’s post already had nearly 30 comments from those interested in helping by Monday evening. Many other posts simply thank those who have helped them or offer ways they want to donate this holiday season.
“People have opened up their life stories. It’s just amazing,” Crear said. “It’s an amazing feeling that they trust me and opened up to find the help they need.”
Crear has no idea how many people the group has helped, but with almost 4,000 members in just Lewis County, she imagines a far-reaching impact.
“I never thought to even keep track of that. It’s been a lot whether it is just prayer, food or clothes or just helping people locate where there are jobs,” Crear said.
Some of the more common needs on the site this season are blankets and heaters, and children’s clothes. Crear and the other administrators on the Facebook page are volunteers and are compensated only with countless “thank you’s,” Crear said.
Hoffman got involved with the Facebook page last year after the Dr. Matz Building burned in downtown Centralia and a house fire in Doty displaced a family.
While she enjoys donating items from her store, Hoffman said, she was on the other side of the group when she found herself unable to afford groceries last year.
“I seldom ask for things, but I needed food (last year) because I was getting low,” Hoffman said. “I was stressed out and I was crying. (But then) I got a car load of stuff. I had five people give things.”
Hoffman was astonished by the response from the online group.
“It’s a testament to Lewis County,” Hoffman said.
