17 Years of Service: Lorrie Evans, CIS Sunset Beach Thrift Shop Manager
In the current work environment where staff seldom stay in one organization or position for longer than a few years, it is rare to find a long term employee devoted to his or her role and company for an extended period of time. Fortunately for Communities In Schools, we have one of those special employees: Lorrie Evans, CIS Thrift Shop Manager at our Sunset Beach shop.
Lorrie began working with CIS part-time back in 2008 in the infancy of the Sunset Beach thrift shop. She earned her way to the Manager position where she has now worked for many years. Lorrie exemplifies devotion and commitment to the non-profit mission and to her community. A resident of Ash, NC where Lorrie lives with her husband, Ray, and her beloved donkeys and other animals, Lorrie has shown her love and caring for her community not just by showing up and doing her job well each day, but by consistently going above and beyond to meet our mission and the needs of local students. Over the years, Lorrie has planned Dine Out fundraisers with local restaurants, hosted raffles with handmade wreaths and decorated holiday trees, planned and hosted Trivia Nights, and much more. She is always looking for additional ways to connect with her community and generate additional revenue to sustain and grow our services to at-risk students in Brunswick County Schools.
Lorrie ‘s volunteers and staff will tell you that Lorrie will never ask them to do anything she herself is not willing to do. She works alongside of them as an active team member at all times. It is not uncommon for Lorrie to step in to help another CIS thrift shop when they are short-staffed or need support. Likewise, when her shop is overloaded with donations, Lorrie will put in extra time to help clear the backlog so it is not left solely to her volunteers and part-time staff. She also knows her customers well and is able to greet them by name and know the types of products they look for so she can call them if something that would be of particular interest to one of them comes into the shop as a donation. Strong customer service skills have been a big part of her recipe for success at the Sunset Beach Thrift Shop, resulting in a loyal customer base and many long-term volunteers who support the shop.
We honor and thank Lorrie for her 17 years of service to Communities In Schools and her commitment to the community and its youth as we continue working to fulfill our mission “to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.”
Congratulations Lorrie! Here’s to another 17 years!
