C.R.O.S.S. Ministries is looking to local businesses and organizations for support and volunteers to help with their ever-growing community thrift store. Breana Sitzman, daughter of C.R.O.S.S. program founder Mike Sitzman, has begun reaching out to local businesses and organizations for volunteers and donations. Breana’s increased involvement with the ministry comes with the goal to not only help continue the work her father started, but to grow and increase the impact of their store and ministry.
“{My father} spent his final days focused on seeing C.R.O.S.S. Ministries flourish and impact as many community members as possible,” said Sitzman. “With the help of our local business community we believe we can make a big difference in the lives of those we serve.”
Breana offered great ideas for both local and regional businesses and other organizations like schools to benefit from volunteering opportunities at C.R.O.S.S. Outside the donation of materials and goods for the store, which are always welcome, Sitzman also encouraged volunteering to help with the mission and their thrift store operations. Many companies offer their employees VTO, or Volunteer Time Off, as part of their benefits packages. VTO provides a valuable opportunity for employees to step away from their regular work routine without impacting their employment status or benefits. Unlike Paid Time Off (PTO) or sick leave, VTO is an option that employees can choose when workloads allow, giving them a chance to recharge and give back to the community while helping their company manage staffing efficiently.
On the day we visited Ms. Sitzman at the thrift store, located at 1610 N. Main in Osceola, a group of students from Dallas Center–Grimes had just arrived and were preparing to spend the day with C.R.O.S.S. Ministries providing much-needed volunteer work, including store organization and cleaning as well as painting and light yardwork around the store’s property.
“We also provide schools across central Iowa a resource for student Silver Chord hours,” said Sitzman. “Through Silver Chord hours, these students learn the values of volunteerism and the much-needed support they bring to organizations like ours.”
Students from Dallas Center-Grimes spent the day volunteering at C.R.O.S.S. Ministries.
C.R.O.S.S. Ministries has been a staple in the south-central Iowa community for almost two decades. In the early 2000’s founder, Mike Sitzman, saw an opportunity to use his passion and his faith to give back to his community. Through donations and his tireless outreach, Mike quickly grew his ministry from hospital equipment and donations to the establishment of the C.R.O.S.S. Ministries Thrift store that includes everything from home goods and clothing to daily food and pantry items.
“This has been a passion for our family for years,” said Breana Sitzman. “With my father’s passing, the board and our family wanted to make sure his vision was sustained and we continued serving the community.”
Breana’s transition to the ministry’s board position comes with a renewed dedication to furthering her father’s mission. While she understands the weight the Mike Sitzman name carries, she also sees an opportunity to better communicate and educate the community on the gift of giving and support of C.R.O.S.S. Ministries. Other efforts she’s taken on that will emerge in the coming months include a newsletter that will be available in print and online as well as a website and increased communications through social media.