For Del, it's not just a job . . .

Since July 2003, Del has been the dispatcher at the Redwood Gospel Mission’s thrift store. Before that, he was enrolled in our long-term recovery program. And before that…

Del had been drinking since his teens, but after a series of tragic deaths in his family—his wife, two sisters, and a brother—all in a single decade, Del sought comfort more and more often in the bottle. Eventually he lost his job, car, and apartment…
there was every chance he’d wind up another sad statistic.

But because friends like you support the residential programs at the Redwood Gospel Mission, Del has been clean and sober since May 2002. “The Mission saved my life, actually,” he says seriously.

Del attributes a lot of his continued sobriety to his coworkers at the thrift store. “They’re the best group of people I’ve ever worked with anywhere!” Del is very dedicated to the thrift store because he sees how it’s changed his own life and makes a difference in the community. In fact, if he could talk to you in person, he’d urge you to clean out your closets and attic and donate clothing, furniture, household appliances—anything in good condition!

Del will retire next September at the age of 65, and we’re glad for his years of faithful service.