Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 21/02) - Theresa Reid has dedicated more time volunteering at the flea market in St. Patrick's Parish Hall than most people put into a work week.

She says she does it because she likes to help people find what they need - especially people who need her help for financial reasons.

"They need clothing and sometimes they can't afford it uptown. So I help them find what they need. I make it so they can afford it," says Reid.

She has worked at the flea market since 1975 and took charge of it in 1980. She has put in over 40 hours a week since that time.

"I enjoy doing it. It keeps me young so. Sometimes my husband asks me if I'm going to the flea market again and then says maybe I should bring my bed with me," says Reid.

The flea market has gone through some changes since she started. The hall in the back of the actual church used to be used for many things, such as bingos and Scout meetings. When these events took place, all of the flea market items had to be cleared out.

"We had those long brown tables. We used to set up everything and then when the flea market finished we had to take it all down again.

Before the storage room, for four years, I used to bring it all home. I have a big basement. My husband and sons didn't like it though," said Reid.

Reid also took all the dishes collected through donations home with her to run them through the wash.

She brought the clothes home too, probably doing more loads of laundry than anyone in the city.

She's glad she doesn't have to do that anymore since the hall is now equipped with a dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. With an overwhelming amount of donations, Reid sends some clothes out to Northern communities who need them. She says that she sends at least 500 green garbage bags out each year.

"We get all kinds of furniture, shoes, clothing, computers and books. Three years ago, I sent 72 big bags to Arctic Red River," she says.

Janice Day, a friend of Reid's, moved to North Bay last year.

She came back for a two-month vacation and helped out at the flea market.

"For those two months, she worked with me everyday. She's leaving next week and I said, "Oh boy. She's so good, she does everything perfectly," said Reid.

She has found some racks to hang everything on and even book shelves to keep it in order. She says these work better than the old brown tables. The only thing she thinks she still needs, is more space.

Reid not only runs a good business but a great home as well. Her licence plate reads NO1MOM.

She received it from her three sons for a birthday about 10 years ago.

"I'll keep doing it until the time and day that I don't have the strength or the health to do it anymore."

She says that she doesn't want to stay home because there's never anyone there during the day.

All of the money made at the flea market goes back to the parish.