FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Thrift Store Puts Mother on Her Feet

Collette Gardner has had her share of bad luck.

Gardner, 30, a single mother with two children, was hit by a car four years ago while walking across a street. Last May, her car was rear-ended. Since that accident, she has suffered hip problems.

But on Friday Gardner received the hip surgery she needed that she hopes will enable her to literally get back on her feet again. Because of the surgery, she hasn’t been able to care for her children, and she had no one to turn to.

Her saving grace, however, came from Alpha Group Treasures, a nonprofit thrift store, and the store’s founder, Don Modglin, a 25-year Fountain Valley resident.

Alpha Group Treasures, which opened Oct. 26, bought an airline ticket for Gardner’s mother so she can come from Phoenix to take care of the children while her daughter recuperates.

“We got the ticket. Otherwise her two children would be placed in foster homes and be taken care of by the state,” said Sharon Penrose, a manager at the thrift store. “Through proceeds from the store by selling (donated) goods, we can do that.”

Gardner, of Huntington Beach, who hasn’t been able to work since May, said prior to her operation that Alpha Group Treasures is also giving her food and beds. “They are saving my life, basically,” she said. “By getting this help, I know it will change my life.”

Helping the homeless and others in need has become Modglin’s preoccupation.

After 17 years in the banking industry, Modglin, 57, said he left his career “on a wing and a prayer” to start his own business.

Modglin started a computerized accounting service in 1975 and built it into a multimillion-dollar company. When he sold it in 1988, he formed Modglin Foundation, which gives grants to ministry students.

Modglin then expanded the foundation to help the homeless because the government only helps people when they have hit rock bottom, he said. He wanted to create a “safety net” to reach them before they lost all hope.

“We want to give food, clothing and take care of their day-to-day needs,” Modglin said. “I want to get them off welfare and out of their homeless situation. Our goal is to get people to be self-supporting. But they can’t do that in 90 days.”

Modglin also wants to provide permanent housing since most programs can only offer the homeless a temporary roof over their heads. He owns a 15,000-square-foot office building in Huntington Beach and recently approached the city about converting it to housing. One neighbor opposed the plan, and for now, Modglin has put the project on hold.

Instead, he opened the thrift store at Edinger Avenue and Euclid Street, across from Mile Square Park.

The 9,400-square-foot store is filled with donations of antiques, a teakwood hutch, sofas, organs, stereos, clothing, dishes, beds and other reusable items.

Modglin said the store’s profits go directly to helping needy families and the homeless. He plans to open nine more thrift stores in the county.

The thrift store employs people who are without jobs and homes, and merchandise is given free to people who need it.

In making his vision come alive, Modglin invested $360,000 of his own money. But he hopes to generate $100,000 a year from each thrift store.

Modglin said he ventured into helping others because he has been blessed financially.

“I’m trying to use my money to help people and give back to my country that’s given me a lot,” he said. “I have an awful lot to be thankful for.”