This Mother’s Day, a mother and her two daughters are reminding
us of the power of giving back
Pictured left to right: Patty Antoniak, volunteer; Nancy Johnson, retired HSC nurse and volunteer; and Susan Lockhart, volunteer and President of the Just Like New To You Thrift Shop.
For Nancy Johnson, a retired nurse from Health Sciences Centre (HSC), and her daughters, Patty Antoniak and Susan Lockhart, volunteering at the Just Like New To You Thrift Shop is more than just a pastime. It’s a legacy of giving, one they carry on with pride, week after week.
“This is more than just a thrift store,” says Lockhart. “It’s an important piece of the neighbourhood. It’s the community’s store.”
The Just Like New To You Thrift Shop is located at 635 Portage Ave.
Nestled on Portage Avenue and Sherbrook Street, the small-but-mighty shop has been serving central Winnipeg for 20 years. Founded in 2005 by Johnson and four other retired HSC nurses, the shop was born out of two simple yet profound desires: to support the hospital they had spent their careers serving; and to meet a critical need in the community.
“We were looking for a way to generate donations to the hospital, so we started the shop,” recalls the 88-year-old Johnson. “And at the time, there weren’t many affordable shopping options for people in the area with modest incomes. We wanted to provide a service that would make a real difference.”
Johnson’s daughters, Lockhart and Antoniak, were always supportive of their mother’s volunteerism, and were quick to lend their support once their own schedules made it possible. What began as helping, became a beloved family routine.
“When my mom asked me to help, I came in and absolutely fell in love with it,” says Lockhart, who began volunteering in 2017. Antoniak joined in 2020 after retiring, and now, every Wednesday, all three women work side by side.
The Just Like New To You Thrift Shop’s Wednesday volunteer group: (L to R): Patty Antoniak, Nancy Johnson, Susan Lockhart, Charlotte Wanke, Jane Bridle, and Marilyn Hanna.
“We have a wonderful team of volunteers, many of whom are like family to us,” says Antoniak. “It’s not just about the work; it’s about the people we get to share this with.”
The Just Like New To You Thrift Shop is fuelled by the generosity of the community through donations of gently used clothing, household goods, and other items.
“We have so many people who support us,” says Lockhart. “In addition to generous donations, we are grateful for the support of numerous individuals and businesses who have helped us in various ways. This includes snow removal services, assistance with negotiating a new lease, logo design and development, and reduced rent from our new landlord. It’s gestures like these that help us keep our operational costs low so we can donate more.”
As spring arrives and many of us dive into season cleaning, there’s no better time to consider donating to the Just Like New To You Thrift Shop.
Proceeds generated by the shop are donated to the HSC Foundation. The store has offered consistent support over its 20 years in operation, including donating $150,000 to HSC Women’s Hospital in 2020, ongoing funding to support the costs related to training HSC’s therapy dog teams, and, most recently, a $50,000 donation to the HSC Foundation’s Fund-A-Need campaign in support of HSC’s Adult Emergency Department.
Volunteers from Just Like New To You Thrift Shop attend the HSC Foundation’s Savour New Zealand: Wine & Food Experience held in February.
This Mother’s Day, consider the legacy of giving that Johnson and her daughters have built. For them, every item donated represents more than just a second-hand treasure. It’s a reminder that giving isn’t just about material things—it’s about leaving a lasting impact on the community we love.
The Just Like New To You Thrift Shop officially marked its 20th anniversary on May 5 with a week-long community celebration at the store. Consider stopping by the shop, donating gently used items, and helping to celebrate this community staple. To make your gift to the HSC Foundation, please donate here or call 204-515-5612 or 1-800-679-8493 (toll-free).
By Jen Golletz
