The Georgian Triangle Humane Society will always treasure the contributions made by long-time volunteer Maggie Lowe.
Lowe has just retired from her nine-year volunteer term as the manager of the Georgian Triangle Humane Society Treasure Tails store. Though she plans to spend more time recreating, she’s still volunteering to work in the shop and help the GTHS where needed.
“It’s a little like I lost an arm,” said Lowe, who first started volunteering for what was then called the Collingwood and District Humane Society 15 years ago.
“To wake up and suddenly not have a real purpose to your day is an adjustment.”
As if he was listening, her terrier, Benji, turns around from his seat on her lap to peer at her through his scruffy bangs. She adopted him in October from a batch of dogs rescued from New Mexico.
Lowe moved to Collingwood nearly 16 years ago in phase one of her retirement. She moved with her husband and left a busy life as a nurse and mom in the city for a quieter life in the country.
She adopted a dog – a border collie mix named Toby – from the Collingwood and District Humane Society and began volunteering as an organizer of the annual charity Fur Ball event.
“When I started, there was no shelter,” said Lowe. She described the existing building as a sort of “dog-catcher place” that was less than ideal for the purpose.
Lowe was part of a team of people who raised funds to help create the GTHS and build an animal shelter.
“To see what it is now is very heartwarming,” she said. “It’s such a reliable place for animals to find forever homes.”
About six years into her volunteer work with the humane society, Lowe’s experience in fundraising told her that while the annual and one-off events in support of the animal-based charity were great, there needed to be more.
“What you need is a consistent source of income and the retail store provides that,” she said.
What began as a yard sale that never wanted to end became the storefront on Hurontario Street in Sheffer Court.
The store is completely volunteer-run and everything for sale has been donated.
“Some of the items have been incredible surprises,” said Lowe. She remembers an antique china set from France that sold for almost $2,000. Another antique toy truck sold for $500 online.
Each year the store has operated, sales have increased. Last year, the store grossed $210,000. After expenses, all money earned in the store goes to the operating costs of the GTHS animal shelter.
“There’s a season for everything and I think I took this business as far as I can take it,” said Lowe. She will stay on as a volunteer “float” to cover shifts at the store when necessary. She’ll also spend more time working on her golf game, hiking up the mountain with Benji and snuggling her cat Wendy.
Lowe is leaving her job to Sue LaJambe.
“She’s young and she will bring fresh ideas,” said Lowe. “She’s a super person and I expect her to take the business even further.”
In her years as a volunteer for the GTHS, Lowe received a Paul Harris Fellowship from a local Rotary club, the Order of Collingwood and a ten-year volunteer pin from GTHS.
“In so many ways Maggie is irreplaceable,” said GTHS executive director Sonya Reichel in a press release. “Her leadership, dedication and tireless efforts have brought Treasure Tails to unimaginable heights and have been directly responsible for the GTHS’s ability to improve the welfare of animals.”
For more on Treasure Tails, or to arrange a donation of items, click here.
