Serving With Joy: MaryAnn’s Story Of Faith In Action

Written by Alisa Ledoux, Thrift Store Manager of Love INC Heartland

What is the backbone of servant leadership? Compassion, character, and competence. These principles emphasize caring for others’ well-being, acting with integrity, and possessing the skills necessary to effectively support and guide a team. If you want to see servant leadership acted out, come to our Love INC Heartland Thrift Store in Delano, Minnesota, and watch MaryAnn shine for Jesus.

MaryAnn Johnson has remained a faithful, fun volunteer at our store for over a dozen years. Her expertise is making all who come into the thrift store feel welcome—first with her beautiful smile and cheerful greeting, and additionally by preparing a delightful shopping experience through the way she arranges each donated item with love and care. When asked, “What is the strangest thing you’ve ever seen donated?” she recalled a gas mask that still has her stumped as to how to elegantly display the piece. She gave us all a grand laugh when she slipped the mask over her head to model it.

MaryAnn, her husband Wally, and their family moved to Delano in 1994. Although she was a busy mother and a very dedicated partner to Wally and his growing business, MaryAnn still wanted to give to her new community. She did her research and, as she put it, “I liked what was going on at Love INC Heartland… I liked that the profits of the store were helping the community… I began by answering phones… I remember a man calling in to ask for blankets for his mother, ‘because she is so cold.’” As MaryAnn recalled the story, her empathy for the man’s request was evident in her demeanor, even now. MaryAnn truly models extending Love In the Name of Christ with everything she does at our thrift store in Delano.

MaryAnn and her husband Wally attend the Catholic Church of Saints Peter & Paul in Loretto, Minnesota. She enjoys volunteering alongside others from various congregations around the Delano area. “We pray together and for each other’s needs… It feels like a family here. I feel like the Lord wants me to continue working here.”

When asked if MaryAnn had a wish for the Delano store, she said she hoped more people would see that the Love INC Heartland Thrift Store is a destination available to all—not just our neighbors in need, but to everyone.

We’re all so blessed to have MaryAnn as part of our family team!

Inspired by MaryAnn? There’s a place for you here. Whether you have a few hours a week or a heart to serve, we’d love to welcome you to our volunteer team.