"I like it when they just into tears and get a big ole hug is a big thing, 'cause you feel like you're making a difference. It's the satisfaction you get when you know you're helping somebody."
Barbette Bennett, the current manager for Brother Charlie's Thrift Store, is a native of Minnesota that eventually found herself as part of the Brother Charlie's family.
Barbette, a mother of four kids, found the small, rural town of Tifton, Georgia in 2003 and stumbled into Brother Charlie's Thrift Store when she was looking for furniture after her recent move. Before working for Brother Charlie's, Barbette spent 23 years of her life working at a nursing home. Giving back and helping others is in her track record for jobs.
Barbette was looking for a job change when a friend told her about the recent opening at Brother Charlie's Thrift Store. She decided to take it. 12 years later, Barbette is now the manager for the store.
Her job consists of more than answering phone calls and accepting donations. Barbette often finds herself cutting prices to sell older items, working with customers to find them necessities they can afford, and going through donations to see what is usable. During her 12 years at the store, Barbette has formed bonds with the 'regular' customers. She is often seen chatting and laughing with customers as well as playing with the babies and children that may come to the store with their parents. "I like it when they just into tears and get a big ole hug is a big thing, 'cause you feel like you're making a difference. It's the satisfaction you get when you know you're helping somebody." Barbette said in an interview.
Barbette is coming up on her anniversary with Brother Charlie's Thrift Store and looks forward to many more and many more years of helping her community.
Thanks Dale for the question! Each interview had a different issue. With the residents, it was them opening up and being personable. With the staff members, it was trying not to sound like Brother Charlie's is a bad place just because it has bad days. We were able to get the interviews and answers we wanted due to patience and rewording our questions and making the interviewees feel comfortable and like they were simply having a conversation. Hope that answers it.
What was the biggest challenge you faced doing these in-depth interviews with the people of Brother Charlie's and how did you overcome it?
Glad you enjoyed it!
i loved meeting barbette and this story perfectly encapsulated my memory of her