MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAMR, Calif. -- Today’s cost of living can leave Marines searching for ways to save money, and shopping at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Thrift Store is one way to accomplish this mission.

 The thrift store provides discounted items to service members and retirees and  donates to other charities.

“It is great to see what the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society does for the community,” said Joelene J. Tetoff, a volunteer at the thrift store.

The thrift store’s best sellers are clothing, women’s shoes and books, but it also carries electronics, furniture, toys and military uniforms.

The store has more than 30 volunteers who handle the hundreds of items that are donated to the NMCRS from service members and community members.

“We rely on our volunteers,” said Lisa T. Woods, the chairman of volunteers with the NMCRS. “We test our electronics and sort through all of the clothes to make sure they are in sellable condition. We also follow specific guidelines to determine the price of each item.”

Any items not sold by the thrift store are donated to St. Vincent DePaul Village charity and the Military Outreach Ministry at East Miramar.

The thrift store grossed more than $120,000 in merchandise sales last year that contributed to more than $1.4 million in aid to service members, retirees and their families in 2009.

Whether selling discounted items to service members or donating to charities, the thrift store provides a great service to the community and welcomes all donations and volunteers.

The thrift store is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and active duty military in uniform can begin shopping at 9:30 a.m. The store is also open on the first Saturday of each month. For more information contact 858-577-5009.