Volunteering pays off

The Bridge Street Bargains (BSB) board is known for the good it does around Carbon County. The organization gives funds to fire departments around the county and are a source of funding for many organizations.

The store takes donations from people around Carbon County and, in turn, sells them to customers that enter the store on 114 Bridge Avenue in downtown Saratoga. The store is run entirely by volunteers to keep overhead low.

Volunteers are not only needed to run the cash register and help visitors; the donations of clothes, jewelry, electronics, books, DVDs and various other items must be sorted through in a large back room and then priced and put out in the store.

Most of the volunteers are women who are retired and looking to help the community.

There are some volunteers that are neither women nor retired.

A volunteer who decided to help when he first moved to Saratoga was recent Saratoga High School graduate Noah Rimmer.

"I started working there when I moved to Wyoming in the 9th grade," Rimmer said. "The ladies were super helpful and taught me how to price, shelf and label items. I had a ton of fun at Bridge Street Bargains."

Rimmer's devoted service over the years has been rewarded with him being selected for a scholarship of $1,000 towards his education he will pursue at University of Montana Western.

The BSB educational scholarship is given out annually according to BSB board member Nancy Vargas.

"The applicants must volunteer for a minimum of 50 hours," Vargas said. "When they have their hours and they are in their senior year, they apply by writing a 500 word essay that describes their educational goals and what the volunteer experience has meant. They talk about what they have learned and gained from being at BSB."

Vargas said after the student submits the application, the essay is reviewed by a committee.

Vargas and BSB Board Chairman Cheryl Ervin said the funds can only be received if the student is going on to school after they graduate. This includes vocational schools.

"They also get compensated for their volunteer work," Vargas said. "The money that we give again goes towards their education. For instance, maybe the student volunteer needs new shoes for volleyball, we check and make sure what they have earned and help them."

Vargas said the students usually have a very good relationship with the other volunteers and their needs come up organically.

"We tell them the money they earn is for any related educational expense, whether it is high school and beyond," Vargas said. "We have had kids go to a educational camp."

Ervin and Vargas said the scholarship can also go to a student who is joining the military.

"Noah had thought he would go into the military some time ago, but, due to all his achievements he had academically and in sports, doors opened for him at the university level," Vargas said.

Rimmer was All-State in football, basketball and track. He graduated with a 3.7 grade point average.

"Everyone just loves him and wants him to succeed," Ervin said. "He just is that type of personality that is kind to others, humble and gifted in so many ways without being conceited."

Ervin and Vargas trace Rimmer's strong helping attitude to his father.

"Trent instilled in Noah how important it was to help others and use his muscles to do so," Vargas said. "He told Noah it was important to help the ladies here move furniture and assist them with their projects. in the store. Trent will also help us with anything and that is what he has taught his kids."

Ervin said the Rimmers do the BSB dump run.

"I can't say enough good about Trent and how he teaches his children to be the same way," Ervin said. "When Trent couldn't do the run, Noah did it all by himself."

Rimmer mentioned his father in his essay.

"Growing up in a single parent household has its challenges. This has helped me become a more accountable person," Rimmer wrote. "When my father leaves for work, I take it upon myself to make sure to do all the household chores."

The essay impressed the committee.

"It was written well and was impressive in its content," Vargas said. "Noah epitomizes our motto. 'You give, so we can give'. That fits this situation. Noah gave to us and now we get to give to him. It is a full circle."

Rimmer said he was grateful for the scholarship and the time at BSB.

"I have to thank you so much to the Bridge Street Bargains staff and board. and would recommend to any high school that is trying to earn scholarship money for after high school.," Rimmer said. "Thank you ladies for everything you've done for me."