August 6, 2024

Meet EveryStep Giving Tree's Ciel Friess

A visit to EveryStep Giving Tree’s backroom, where donations are sorted, cleaned and prepared for sale, is a thrifter’s dream. If you saw the quality and quantity of items generous donors bring to the Urbandale thrift store, you would likely want to start loading your cart up with treasures.

But before those items hit the sales floor of the boutique-style thrift store, EveryStep Giving Tree sales associate Ciel Friess makes sure every kitchen item works and shoes are spotless. You’ll also find Ciel changing the kitchen area of the store with new dishes and other items.

Ciel started at EveryStep Giving Tree as a volunteer in 2019 and began working part-time later that year. After a brief period away from the store, Ciel returned as a volunteer in 2021 and was re-hired as a staff member in 2022.

“I would come to the store to visit my Aunt Murt (longtime EveryStep Giving Tree volunteer Mardelle Oakley) and shop,” says Ciel of her introduction to the store. As an employee, she says the best thing about her job is the people she works with. “I just love our volunteers and my coworkers. It’s never dull and every day I work is a fun challenge. I just enjoy my job and how we support EveryStep as an organization.”

Ciel has seen a little bit of everything come through the donation doors at the back of the store, but she can’t forget the day when about 25 new wedding dresses were delivered all at once. Items like those quality wedding dresses are one of the reasons Ciel believes EveryStep Giving Tree is unique among thrift stores. “I think Michele (Bronson, store manager) does a good job making the store feel like a boutique,” says Ciel. “It’s clean and people really enjoy shopping the different areas.”

Prior to EveryStep Giving Tree, Ciel worked at DMACC for 25 years in the marketing and public relations department as coordinator of community relations. She and her husband Gary live in West Des Moines with their two “old lady cats.” With a daughter in Colorado and son in North Carolina, Ciel and her husband enjoy traveling to see them or traveling with them. Ciel also works part-time at the Des Moines Civic Center as a hospitality server during the Broadway season and other shows throughout the year.

EveryStep Giving Tree currently has openings for volunteer checkout cashiers and backroom clothing steamers. Volunteers should ideally be able to commit to at least one four-hour shift per week. For more information call the store at 515-270-2414 and ask for Michele Bronson.

Purchases and donations at EveryStep Giving Tree support EveryStep, a nonprofit organization serving Iowans since 1908. Through more than 30 programs and services, our professional team offers education to young moms; assistance to immigrants and refugees; wellness services in communities; in-home care to people who are ill, injured or facing the end of life; and compassionate support to families during times of grief and loss.

If you or someone you know is struggling to find the support they need, please contact EveryStep at 515-558-9946 or complete the commitment-free, confidential “Find Care” form here. EveryStep staff will follow up with a phone call to answer your questions and provide help.

EveryStep Giving Tree is located at 3330 100^th Street in Urbandale, Iowa and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.