NANTICOKE, Pa. — Hidden gems sit on the shelves of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Nanicoke. Store manager Joe Hartman says every day, they get something new to add to the shelves.
"You'll never know what you'll find here, and I say every day is like Christmas," Hartman says, pointing to a Christmas tree for sale.
The store on East Main Street is open to the public. People can shop for new and gently used home and construction items priced at a big discount.
"We get anything from big box stores, small contractors, homeowners, small businesses, it's all donated," said Hartman.
While Hartman has been with the ReStore for nearly eight years, he says people are still shocked to find the store exists in Luzerne County.
"A lot of people don't know what we do, especially at the ReStore," he added,
But a big name has helped spread the word about Habitat for Humanity for more than 35 years. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, partnered with Habitat for Humanity through the Carter Work Project.
Throughout the year, the former President and Mrs. Carter have worked with more than 104,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate, and repair 4,390 Habitat homes.
"A lot of people are under the impression that Jimmy Carter started this mission, which is not true. He's actually a long-time volunteer after his presidency," said Hartman.
The couple was a champion for the nonprofit. It released a statement in memory of the First Lady's passing.
"We grieve the loss of Mrs. Carter, and our prayers are with President Carter and their family. Mrs. Carter has helped change the lives of thousands of homeowners, empowered countless women, and inspired millions of people. Over the years, she has blessed us with her compassion for serving others and commitment to improving housing conditions," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "The Carters lent a hand to Habitat for Humanity as a young, fledging organization and created global awareness of our work and of our mission. We are grateful for the incredible impact she and President Carter have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example."
For more than three decades, the former first couple got their hands dirty, along with the hundreds of thousands of Habitat volunteers and even the families who moved into the homes.
"There a lot of people out there that do need help and he was out there pitching in," explained the ReStore manager.
From a presidential legacy to a small store shelf in Nanticoke, each little piece helps further the mission of building a future and a home for people who otherwise couldn't afford it.
"But most part of it is what we generate here stays in the community," he explained.
New and gently used items can be donated to the ReStore in Nanticoke. The store takes everything from kitchen cabinets, doors, tools, hardware, and small pieces of wood furniture.