The Uxbridge Cottage Hospital's auxiliary thrift store, Chances Are, is a big draw for the public on Tuesdays and almost every other day of the week. The Times-Journal spoke to Grace Bouchard, the store's co-convenor, to find out why.

Times-Journal: What's the big rush on Tuesdays?

Grace Bouchard: Tuesdays used to be the big rush. It used to be Tuesdays we put out the best stuff but now we have enough that we put a little bit out every day to entice the customers. We sort all day Monday.

TJ: What kind of items do people look for?

GB: Everything. Some gentlemen are pickers from the auction, buying antiques. Some buy costumes for school plays.

TJ: What are some of the interesting items that have been donated over the years?

GB: A deep sea diving suit. We didn't know quite what to do with it but when we put it out, it did sell. Name it, we get it.

TJ: Do you ever have to turn away items?

GB: Some are undesirables. We gently ask the public not to bring large furniture, or baby furniture because of government restrictions on baby furniture. People are sort of dumping on us, it's costing us money. It's their hospital money.

TJ: How does Chances Are decide how much to sell items for?

GB: We revise (prices) every year. We are getting much more selection, we thought 'let's get a little bit more for the items', so we maybe up some items 25 cents or a dollar. But we're still selling up a storm.

TJ: What are the funds used for?

GB: All our funds go to the hospital foundation and the hospital usually has a wish list, sometimes we pick an item from the wish list and ultimately pay for that item, or if the item is more than we have made we go collectively into buying that item.

TJ: How long have you volunteered at Chances Are?

GB: Four and a half years.

TJ: How many hours a week do you put in as a volunteer?

GB: At first, 30 hours a week, now down to 20 hours a week because it was taking over too much time. My husband does the carpentry here, it's a family affair.

TJ: What are your duties?

GB: (We) open up all the bags and select the items, steaming (the clothes), I oversee all the girls and select certain people to have certain departments.

TJ: What is the most rewarding thing about your volunteer work?

GB: We used to work on a farm, we sold the farm and felt like we were put out to pasture. Lo and behold, here comes Chances Are and (it has) filled a big void in my life. They've done more for me than I've done for them. They are wonderful volunteers, customers you get to know by their first name.