A lion dance troupe performs the custom of “plucking the greens” with a head of lettuce at the VGH Thrift Store’s new location on East Hastings Street.

Lettuce celebrate the Year of the Monkey

Last week, our VGH Thrift Store welcomed the Year of the Monkey with a head of lettuce.

Deborah, a VGH Thrift Store volunteer, holds what’s left of the head of lettuce a dancing lion plucked from the storefront on East Hastings and promptly “spit” out.

Deborah, a VGH Thrift Store volunteer, holds what’s left of the head of lettuce a dancing lion plucked from the store in Vancouver’s East Village.

A dancing lion plucked the lettuce from the storefront and promptly “spit” the remains out — all in good fun. The traditional Lunar New Year custom known as “plucking the greens” is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the businesses the lion visits.

Buying new clothes is another Lunar New Year tradition. If you need more closet space for your latest purchases, think about donating your previously loved pieces to the VGH Thrift Store. Our volunteers welcome your gently used:

  • adult and children’s clothing, footwear, jewellery and accessories
  • books (including textbooks published within five years)
  • multimedia (DVDs, CDs, records and even VCH tapes!)
  • housewares (kitchenware, small appliances, vintage curios, artwork and flat screen TVs)
  • sports gear (hockey equipment and skis excluded)
  • office supplies and equipment, including working computers and printers
  • small furniture items (couches, dining hutches and bed frames excluded)

Since 2010, the VGH Thrift Store has contributed more than $125,000 to provide comfort items for patients and long-term care residents, and to fund renovations, new medical equipment and more at VGH and UBC Hospital.

Visit the store’s Facebook page for the latest store-wide promotions and events, and click the “Like” button (that’s the one with the thumbs up!) to show your support for Vancouver’s one and only fundraising store.

To learn more about the VGH Thrift Store, visit its website at: http://vghthriftstore.ca/.