November 16, 2023

Meet EveryStep Giving Tree Staff Member Carla Madson

Imagine a job where you daily encounter fabulous jewelry, beautiful clothing and incredible pieces of home décor. That’s the job Carla Madson has at EveryStep Giving Tree in Urbandale.

Carla celebrates her two-year anniversary as a member of the staff at the upscale boutique-style thrift store this month and she says it’s as much fun as you might expect. “My favorite things about working at EveryStep Giving Tree are my co-workers,” says Carla. “We work well together and they’re such great people to be around. There is laughter, much activity and camaraderie.” Carla says she also appreciates the volunteers at EveryStep Giving Tree, whom she says are “full of humor and worldly advice.”

Carla sees a little bit of everything as she goes through donations, cleans and prepares items to go out to the sales floor. “We have the most generous and classy donors!” says Carla, who counts mink coats, 5-foot candlesticks and 30 records from the late 1800s labeled “Thomas Edison Company” as among the incredible donations she has processed.

“I also like to chat with the donors,” says Carla. “Some are dealing with the loss of a loved one, or someone who was in hospice care. That was me five years ago, and I so appreciated the wonderful hospice care for Mom, and grief counseling for myself.”

Prior to putting her skills to work at EveryStep Giving Tree, Carla taught 20 years of high school and 13 years of middle school. She and her husband have four children between them. “They keep life entertaining!” says Carla, who enjoys gardening, sewing and traveling to see those children in her free time.

EveryStep Giving Tree thrift store helps carry out the EveryStep nonprofit mission by directing all proceeds from thrift store sales toward programs and services which benefit EveryStep's patients, clients and their families. Donations of gently used furniture, clothing and accessories, home décor and household items may be dropped off at the back of the store at 3330 100th Street, or if you have a large donation, a pick-up may be possible. Call 515-270-2414 for information. The store is open for shopping and donations Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

EveryStep Giving Tree is always looking for enthusiastic, energetic volunteers who can share at least four hours per week supporting EveryStep’s non-profit mission. To learn about the different ways you can volunteer your time, visit here. EveryStep Giving Tree is also seeking a PRN (as needed) sales associate and merchandise handler. For information about this career opportunity, visit here.

Telling others about EveryStep Giving Tree is another great way to support our nonprofit mission.

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