CARIBOU — The Cubby Thriftstores are approaching their five-year anniversary and have announced a number of changes to take place, including internal restructuring, moves and a focus on “green” efforts.
Cindy Johnson, president of The Cubby Thriftstores LLC and the Cubby Gives Program, reflected on the efforts of her family and the organization to make a difference in the lives of others.
Contributed photo
Kaleb “Cubby” Johnson, 17, son of Chris and Cindy Johnson of Caribou and the namesake of The Cubby Thriftstores, holds a bag of aluminum tabs which he recently donated to the Shriners Hospital for children in Springfield, Mass. The Cubby stores and patrons have collected more than 200 pounds of tabs for the Shriners, who then sell the tabs to a recycling company and use the money for programs or equipment directly benefiting children at Shriners Hospitals.
“We cannot meet every need,” she said. “We do not shelter the homeless, provide winter heating fuel or feed the hungry. The County already has exceptional resources in place to meet those needs; however, we do strive to clothe the needy, care for the sick and the afflicted, and make a difference in the everyday, small acts of kindness we can render to members of our community.
In 2001 Chris and Cindy Johnson were told that their son Kaleb “Cubby” Johnson would not live to see his 4th birthday. Born with a life-threatening illness, neurofibromatosis type 1 (a disease in which tumors grow on nerves), Kaleb found his health waning speedily.
“But thanks to the good grace of God and the prayers of many, Kaleb not only lived to see his fourth birthday but recently saw his 17th,” Johnson said.
Inspired by the many act of kindness bestowed upon the family, the Johnsons decided to give back to the community and the concept of The Cubby Thriftstores was born.
Named after their son, the Cubby was created as a limited liability corporation with a humanitarian cause. Along with selling clothing, furniture, home décor and other numerous items The Cubby stores began The Cubby Gives program (formerly the Cubby Fund) as a program dedicated to providing financial support to children living in Aroostook County with a chronic or life-threatening illness. This program helps families cover physician fees, transportation costs, lodging, food, vehicle repairs as well as the purchase of medical adaptive equipment, digital monitors, customized car seats, protective gear, CPR/First Aid classes, medical identification bracelets and more.
Cubby Gives also supports the Hero Program, which recognizes a child monthly for their bravery in the face of adversity with a $100 or like gift, story in their local media and in-store recognition. Since the stores’ inception in 2010, Johnson said, more than 55 children have been nominated for the Hero of the Month program.
“Through our efforts we have watched some of these special children thrive and others succumb to their illness. Our investment in their welfare is more than just monetary; it is heart,” she added.
The Cubby Thriftstores work with local agencies, shelters, nursing homes and churches to assist the needy in surrounding communities through the donation of mattresses, bedding, furniture, kitchen items, medical equipment and clothing, and have recently paired up with Full Circle Health Care, LLC to collect hearing aids and supplies which will be re-furbished, re-adapted and donated to the elderly population.
In addition, the thrift stores, with the help of dedicated patrons, have collected and donated over 200 pounds of aluminum tab tops to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
As for the company’s efforts to go green, Johnson pointed out, “We recycle thousands of pounds of clothing annually. This clothing makes its way to the back of a truck, not the landfill, and is picked up by a New England based company to be used for residential and humanitarian efforts.
“We also recycle metal, plastic bags, newspaper, magazines, glassware, ink cartridges, cell phones, televisions and computer monitors. If it can be recycled or repurposed, we’ll do it,” Johnson added.
Anyone who knows of a child with a chronic or life-threatening illness and would like to see them nominated for Hero of the Month may contact Johnson at 760-7070, or stop by one of the stores in Presque Isle, Caribou or Madawaska.
