Lake Travis Thrift Shop has new location, but steadfast mission

By Peggy Moraczewski | Correspondent

Twenty-nine years ago, the Ladies of Charity-Lake Travis Chapter (LOC-LT) was founded by 36 women. Within a few months, they opened a small thrift shop with a goal of providing financial support for the Lake Travis Crisis Ministries. Today, the LOC-LT, Lake Travis Thrift Shop (LTTS) is the largest provider of aid in the Lake Travis ISD area. It has provided more than $3 million in financial support and more than $3 million in in-kind donations to numerous charities, local and international.
The shop has outgrown three locations over the years and with ever increasing rental costs, the LOC-LT took a leap of faith and built their own shop.
“Four years ago, the Ladies of Charity-Lake Travis were called by the Holy Spirit to reach beyond our capabilities and place our trust in him,” said Carol Nex, the president of LOC-LT. She credits the Holy Spirit for guiding the enormous undertaking.
“We were a group of women who knew how to operate a very successful business, but we had no knowledge of land purchasing and building, but we knew in our hearts that we were being called by God to move forward,” Nex stated.
Although the road has not always been smooth, God led the LOC-LT to the ideal realtor, perfect builder, and amazing advisors along the way, Nex said. They are thrilled with the result and anticipate great success in the new location.
At the end of August, Deacon Terry Guilbert from Emmaus Parish in Lakeway, joyfully dedicated and blessed the new building and grounds. Bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” set the tone for the quiet dedication (due to COVID restrictions), and confirmed God’s grace was indeed the reason for this celebration. Nex expressed deep gratitude for everyone involved in bringing the project to fruition, and soloist, Christina Paz, sang “Sacred Silence.” The shop officially opened to the public on Sept. 2. Masks and physical distancing are required.
The LOC-LT commissioned a painting to honor the Holy Spirit. Local watercolor artist and Thrift Shop volunteer, Theresa Martin, was nervous about accepting this project because it included materials she did not customarily work with in her studio -- a substantial canvas (8-by 5-feet) and acrylic paint.
“It’s for the glory of God, so I can’t fail,” she told herself. Her inspirational painting is showcased at the entrance of the new shop with the words, “The Holy Spirit Led Us To This Place.”
Opposite the painting is a rotating monthly exhibit that will include work from local artists, holiday traditions, charitable organizations, lives of the saints, etc. The displays serve as a base for a prayer request box, where shoppers are invited to place their prayer intentions. Shari Bauer created the displays and prayer request box.
“I wanted to offer the priceless gift of prayer to anyone who was in need. Each prayer request will be prayed in utmost confidence with a team of prayer partners,” she said.
The thrift shop depends upon the community to donate, volunteer and shop. Multiple churches in the Lake Travis area, including Austin Christian Fellowship, Lakeway Church, Lake Travis Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis and Emmaus Parish, have helped to fuel the success of the shop. Their gifted and hardworking volunteers, donations and overall supportive efforts have been overwhelming, said Anita Fisher, founding member and president emeritus of the LOC-LT and the original thrift shop.
“The people of the community have been incredibly generous. The success of the shop is beyond my expectations. It’s a miracle!” she said.
Nex is confident the new thrift shop will thrive.
“May the new thrift shop be even more successful and enable us to give even more in service to our mission of helping our neighbors in need. With the Holy Spirit as our guide and our incredible team of leaders, volunteers, donors and patrons, it will happen,” she said.
Ladies of Charity is an international organization founded by St. Vincent de Paul, with a mission, “To serve, rather than be served.” The LOC-LT chapter is the second largest in the U.S. in terms of aid provided and volunteer hours accumulated. Members do not need to be Catholic and the LOC-LT encourages ecumenical participation.
The new Lake Travis Thrift Shop is located at 440 Medical Pkwy. in Lakeway, in the Baylor Scott & White Hospital Complex. For more information and a map, go to www.laketravisthrift.com.