PTO Thrift Shop

Thrift ShopWorking at the PTO Thrift Shop is a way to earn money for both the Pioneer Bands and for individual members' Band Trips or Band Camp!

Under the new fundraising program, students/families can volunteer at the shop to earn the required $100 annual fee. Any money earned exceeding $100 (through candy sale, car wash, or thrift shop) will go toward the students' Band Trip or Band Camp account. See below for information on how to volunteer at the PTO Thrift Shop. The Thrift Shop "pays out" $8 per hour.

What is the PTO Thrift Shop?

It is a re-sale shop, all proceeds from which benefit the Ann Arbor Public School students. It is open year-round, and there are volunteer opportunities available year-round. All merchandise in the Thrift Shop comes from donations from the community. The PBA is one of many Ann Arbor school organizations which send volunteers to work and earn money for their own programs.

Where is it located, when is it open, and what is their phone number?

It is at 2280 South Industrial Highway, next to Gross Electric, and almost directly across the street from where Jewett meets South Industrial. Hours of operation are: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. Phone number is 996-9155.

What do you do there?

You do all kinds of fun things like accept donations, tag and hang clothing, straighten up the displays, recycle cardboard, test electronics, put out merchandise, sweep floors, and plain old help at whatever is needed. There is a posted list of jobs that need to be done, and also the manager will let you know what needs to be done that day.

How do you sign up to work?

You (parents and/or band students) work two-hour shifts a maximum of two times per week; only one shift is allowed on the weekend (since weekends are popular times to work).

You may sign-up for time slots up to 30 days in advance, but you must do this in-person. On Monday, the schedule is available for the next week in the book, which is about 4 weeks ahead of the current date.

The two-hour time slots begin at 9 am, Monday through Saturday (and 11 am on Sunday). Shifts are generally 9 am to 11 am, 11 am to 1 pm, 1 pm to 3 pm, 3 pm to 5 pm, and 5 pm to 7 pm. You can request two shifts during weekdays, or one shift on the weekend and one shift during the week. The sign-up book is usually located in the employee area.

You can also put yourself on a "to be called" list if vacancies show up when you are available to work.

More changes to the PTO Thrift Shop sign-up procedure

The Thrift Shop has changed the day a new week is added to the book from Sunday to Monday. This means running down there on Monday at lunch if you can to get the best time slots.

All students ages 14-17 must have a work permit to volunteer at the PTO Thrift Shop. Work permits can be obtained at the PHS office. The permit must then be taken to the shop to be filled out.

All new volunteers and anyone who has not worked at the store in the previous year will need to attend an orientation at the shop.

Please check the PTO Thrift Shop website for more details.

How does the PBA get the money?

When you show up for work, you sign in on the appropriate page for what you are working toward. Sign in on the Pioneer General Band sheet until $100 is met (through candy sale, car wash, or thrift shop). After that, you sign in on the "Pioneer Band Camp" or "Pioneer Band Trip to (wherever it is that year)" sheet. At the end of your shift, the manager initials your hours.

Payouts occur on September 1, January 1, and May 1 of each year. The sign-in sheet hours are totaled up and forwarded to the Pioneer PTO Thrift Shop representative, who then forwards them to the PBA.

It is a good idea to keep track of your own hours. If you want to know how many hours you've gotten credit for, contact our representative.

If you've already paid for Band Camp or Band trip, you can also be reimbursed! This happens when the Thrift Shop payout occurs after Band Camp or Band trip money was due, such as when there is a pay out in September. Any questions concerning reimbursement should be directed to the PBA President and Treasurer.

Any other questions, please contact the PBA Thrift Shop liaison (Mary Topham at marytopham@comcast.net) or the PTO Thrift Shop at 996-9155.