THE HISTORY

December 1999           The idea:  A Thrift Store to operate using volunteers with proceeds to local service agencies – agencies that help others in need.

January 2000               First community wide meeting of project concept.  Six churches (Calvary Baptist, Floyd Baptist, Floyd United Methodist, Floyd Presbyterian, St Marks Lutheran and Zion Lutheran) and one individual step forward to pledge lease and operational expenses for one year.  Site located.

February 2000             Lease signed.  Display and start-up equipment donations received.

March 20, 2000           Angels in the Attic opens for business – a social ministry of the community

To February 2001        Expenses paid through donations.  100% of proceeds returned to community as initial pledge.  Fundraisers included local artist print auction and making apple butter – all fundraisers were placed in building fund.

                                    Building too small for operation.  Lease not renewed.

March 2001                 Moved project to the Crenshaw Lighting building on a short-term.

Project retained 50% of the monthly proceeds for building fund and continued to support county services agencies with the balance.  Fund raising continued:  savings bond raffle, apple butter

December 15, 2001     Closed operation.  Unable to purchase building-owner needed.  Closed with a mission to “start over”.  The 21-month operation returned $42,000 to the community, retained a building fund of $34,000 and provided opportunities to witness God’s blessings.

January 2002               Building in town of Floyd is for sale.  Owner contacts this project.

February 2002             Decision to purchase $72,000  building – loan will be $50,000.  Expect business back in operation in May 2002.

April 2002                   Womanless Beauty Pageant – 20 prominent Floyd County men shared their talents for the cause.  A  net profit of $13,000 -  proceeds used for Building Fund.

May 2002                    The loan secured.  $22,000 paid down with a loan of $50,000 – Angels in the Attic finds home in the town of Floyd.  We had specified our need – approximately 5,000 sq feet, a loading dock and a site close to or in the town of Floyd.  This building has it all!

                                    Moving day!  A caravan of cars, vans, pick-up trucks, trailers and a horse trailer – we moved the 5 miles from the Crenshaw Lighting Building to the Town of Floyd. 

May 30, 2002              We’re back!!  Open for business – after closing our doors on December 15, 2001.  Faith in action – we never gave up!

June – Dec, 2002         Minor or Major problems – glass half full or half empty?  The roof leaked – we put a new roof on the building.  The donations exceeded our space and customer base – we developed a partnership with H.I.S. Ministries in far southwest Virginia and have a volunteer that periodically  transports to that area.  Poor insulation – a team of volunteers donated supplies and labor and we had insulation.  The building was hot – air conditioner units were donated; the building was cold – propane heaters were provided.  The volunteer force continued.

April 2003                   We made a $25,000 payment on our $50,000 loan.

May 2003                    PSAs report usage of 28,000 gallons of water – leak in pipe under our building – within three days the repairs were made – no charges incurred.

July 2003                     An anonymous donor-$10,000 to loan with a pledge to pay off the $15,000 before year-end.

August 2003               Contributions from this Social Ministry now exceeds $100,000. 

                                    Our commitment to provide services agencies in the county funding for medical needs, housing, food and emergency services continues –

September 2003          After much fund-raising and generous donations from the community, one final huge donation to pay off our building –

                                    14 months after moving in – we now OWN our building!

January 2004               Church supporters:  Calvary Baptist, Floyd Baptist, Floyd United Methodist, Floyd Presbyterian, St Marks Lutheran and Zion Lutheran.  After almost four years of monthly support to provide rent and utilities (a total contribution of $640.00/monthly), Angel’s in the Attic became self-supporting.  To God be the Glory.

July  2004                    Angel’s in the Attic sales totaled $144,429.86

March 2005                 Floyd Town Council requests option to purchase Angels in the Attic building as part of a Revitalization Grant for the Town of Floyd.  Floyd County Cares, Inc. extends letter  “to agree to discuss an option to purchase if certain criteria” could be met. 

June 2005                    Angel’s in the Attic will not be affected by the Town’s Revitalization Grant.  Extensive work on the outside as well as inside of the building paid for by operations funds and community donation.  Much of the labor was/will be donated.

July 17, 2005               Community Celebration of Angels in the Attic  - a milestone of $200,000 returned to Floyd County Service Agencies!

o   An event to bring our Volunteers, Customers, Donors and Supporters together to celebrate this Social Ministry – a faith based inter-denominational ministry of our community !

July 2005                     Angel’s in the Attic sales reached $205,983.45!

July 2006                     Angels in the Attic sales reach $272,000 in sales!  Volunteer and

                                    Community celebration scheduled for August 5!

July 2007                     Angel’s in the Attic sales reach $368,674.79

Dec 2007                     $3,000 contribution received to start another ministry – money not

                                    to be used to fund any existing program.

Feb 2008                     Angel’s Bounty was born.  Please see Angel’s Bounty History on

                                    our website:   www.angelsintheattic.org

July 2008                     Angel’s in the Attic sales reach $452,025.44

Sept 2008                    COMMUNITY CHALLENGE begins.  Angel’s in the Attic will   

                                    Provide $300.00 “seed money” to a maximum of ten church or

                                    civic organizations within Floyd County to use the “Parable of the

Talents” and multiply that money.  Monies to be used to provide funding for projects within Floyd County that meet our mission of providing food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, etc.  (See Community Challenge posted on our website:  www.angelsintheattic.org)

Dec 2008                     Angel’s in the Attic sales now total $489,625.21.

In 2008:  Angel’s  Bounty served 2,055 meals, received 1,467.7 pounds of food (donated to local Food Pantry) and received $3,282.00 in monetary donations from attendees.

Jan 2009                      Report from first recipient of COMMUNITY CHALLENGE:

The Healthy Snacks Program  - provides snacks in elementary schools in Floyd County for those students that do not have a nutritious snack.  Group used the $300.00 seed money to make an additional $1,136.00 for this program!

Jan 2009                      Plans underway to celebrate reaching $500,000 in sales.  Projected to occur in February or March 2009!

February 2009             Sales exceed one-half million dollars!!  $504,733.60 –

November 2009          Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held at Pine Tavern – a  time of celebration and thanksgiving – Votive candles were distributed to all with a small frog decal with the FROG reminder:  FOREVER RELY ON GOD.  We know He is in control!

April 2010                   Sales reached $601,091.51!!

November 2010          Sales exceeds $655,500.00!!!!  We are lifting these ministries in prayer as we seek His Will!