Today, on my last day as a staff member at the Resource Exchange, I would like to thank YOU, dear re blog reader (who I assume is also an re customer). It is because of you that I have this job and because of you that my job is so delightful. Over the past three and a half years, I’ve had inumerable heartwarming, hilarious, or thought-provoking interactions with the people who shop and donate here. I’ve always said that we have the best customers. One of my very favorite parts of the job has been seeing, profiling and helping customers with all of their creative projects—whether it was helping someone figure out how to turn themselves into a live marionette, or find that perfect piece of hardware to finish a rehab project, or find the perfect vintage props for an album cover shoot. It has made me feel connected to the diverse and vibrant currents of Philly’s creative scene. You, with all your art installations and student films and DIY renovations and hand-made clothing and community art projects, inspired me (and turned me into one of those heart-eyes emojis) almost every day.
I came to the Resource Exchange with a sustainability background, and it was also an incredible opportunity to be surrounded by people who really care about our environmental mission, the eco-dorks and community activists, those who work for one of the amazing environmental organizations in the city themselves, or who are simply seeking to reduce their own environmental footprint through lifestyles changes. Collaborating with and learning about all you do has given me optimism about our collective future on this planet, the power of people working together, and has strengthened my resolve to “be the change…”
It would be impossible to overstate how immensely grateful to Karyn I am for her visionary leadership, for starting and dedicating her life to this fantastic organization, where I had the opportunity to grow so much personally and professionally. And I am ever grateful to my co-workers for being the amazing people (and artists) that they are and making me excited to go to work every day. They have demonstrated a fierce commitment to what they believe in and have all worked so hard to grow this organization, hurdle after hurdle. It has been an honor to be a part of that.
So, to everyone reading this, THANK YOU! It has been a deeply sincere pleasure. Keep fighting the good fight, keep making beautiful things, keep shopping at and spreading the word about the Resource Exchange so they can continue to do the important work they do…and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love, Laura
