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Bronxville High School for Humanity Club advisors Chris Doyle and Zhanna Cabrera were joined by 15 student volunteers last week as they helped rejuvenate, organize and spruce up the spacious ReStore building at 659 Main St.
Throughout the day, students unloaded countless trucks of donations, gave the store a fresh coat of paint and helped discard items that were no longer viable or needed.
“It feels terrific to help a community in need, especially one that is so close to ours,” Bronxville High School freshman Kirsten Ircha said. “We are so fortunate, and that is why it’s important to give back.”
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore reuses, recycles and repurposes salvaged items and donations that are then in turn used to benefit those in need throughout the community. Habitat sells and gives away any variety of home goods and materials, while aiding the victims of fires, floods and other disasters.
“There are so many people in the Westchester area who need help with housing, and our students are rising to the challenge,” Doyle said.
As a fun treat for students, among the items they sorted and unpacked were multiple boxes with props and items that were used in the Oscar-winning movie “Bridge of Spies” and “The Girl on the Train,” which filmed in Westchester recently.
Habitat for Humanity of Westchester Executive Director Jim Killoran said that his organization is frequently getting items from sets that are no longer needed. Often, he said, production companies will purchase many items they may need on set from the ReStore, and what they don’t use or destroy is sent right back to be resold.
With memorabilia from “Bridge of Spies” and “The Girl on the Train” - including tape recording devices, furniture and a photoshopped picture of Tom Hanks - Killoran is planning special movie nights with potential guests from the films and silent auctions where the public will have a chance to bid on the props.
“Westchester is a popular and trendy place to shoot, so producers and set designers often buy from us, and give most of it back. They’re trending things too, be it records or something else. People want the things that won’t be made anymore,” he added. “659 Main St., you’ll never know what you’re going to find!”
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