When Hillsdale Community Thrift Executive Director Missy Desjardin discovered one of Domestic Harmony’s bikes was missing, she posted an ad for bike donations on her store’s Facebook account and received the bikes and a bag of cycling gear from people in the community. 

“Of course, the bikes are used, but the thought of the women and children not being able to ride a bike or having a means of transportation when some of the women don’t have vehicles was too much,” Desjardin said. 

The community’s support for Domestic Harmony through Hillsdale Community Thrift exceeded Desjardin’s expectations, she said, as community members rallied to meet the needs of women and children in the area. 

Hannah Jordan, Domestic Harmony’s executive director, clarified what happened to the missing bike. 

“We lend bikes to our clients at times, and one of them just did not come back,” Jordan said. “I don’t think it was done maliciously. Transportation in Hillsdale County is rough so they might have needed it.” 

Jordan said the missing bike was a blessing in disguise since by losing one bike Domestic Harmony gained many. 

“We had one bike which women used when they needed it, and then when it went missing, Hillsdale Thrift gave us all different sizes of bikes, ” Jordan said.

The donation came at just the right time, according to Jordan. 

“We had a family staying in the shelter have a great bonding afternoon: they all went down and took a bike ride in the summer and had some fun,” Jordan said. “Hillsdale Thrift’s donation made a big impact.” 

Hillsdale Community Thrift opened in October 2018 to bring the people of Hillsdale together by raising money for local nonprofits. 

“Our goal is to be a central hub of resources for the nonprofits in Hillsdale County,” Desjardin said. 

The business’ motto was inspired by the 2005 Disney movie “Robots,” according to Desjardin.

“I absolutely loved that movie, and our motto stems from the character Bigweld who says in the movie: ‘See a need, fill a need,’” Desjardin said. 

Desjardin has helped countless people in need by hiring them as Hillsdale Community Thrift employees and helping them regain stability, according to Florini.

“She is such an important part of the community,” said Hillsdale Community Thrift employee Christine Florini. 

Since its opening, Hillsdale Community Thrift has filled the needs of the community and other nonprofits. 

With support from the thrift store, Domestic Harmony can provide the women and children of Hillsdale County with anything from clothes to bikes. 

“Hillsdale Community Thrift helps us out in a lot of ways,” Jordan said. “The bike helps out with maybe running errands or even exercise. It’s not just for transportation, it’s also a self-care thing too. When you are going through such a hard time and fleeing from an abusive relationship, just having those moments together is really important.”

Desjardin said it is important for people to prioritize the needs of those in their immediate communities, before looking for service opportunities in other places. 

“Let’s just focus here before we focus out there, that’s loving your neighbor,” Desjardin said. “You can’t just skip the person right next to you.” 

Desjardin also said she has grown spiritually, and found herself closer to God as she watched him provide and use Hillsdale Community Thrift to reach the community. 

“It has really humbled me and opened my eyes to see when you really just let the Lord do his work and stand back, it will all work out,” Desjardin said. “I’ve always believed that a community can take care of its own.”