In 1973 the Vashon-Maury Health Services Center opened in a small home in Burton. No one was certain how this experiment would work as money was scarce and the needs were great. The Board of Directors asked women in the community to volunteer their time as receptionists for the clinic. After a year at that location the health center moved to a larger building on Vashon where it succeeded beyond expectations and was able to hire staff as well as volunteers.

The Health Center Board, not wanting to waste the proven talents of the volunteers, asked them to organize for monetary support of the Health Center.  Accordingly, the group met at Ober Park in February of 1974, and on February 28 became the Health Center Volunteers.  Various ways to raise money were discussed and they decided to start with a plant sale that raised $353.

Officers that first year were Fern Downer, President; Bonnie Daniel, Vice President; Celia Durham, Secretary; and Dorothy Mitchell, Treasurer.  Other charter members were: Charlotte Dille, Bea Garrison, Florence Eikenberry, Margaret Fisk, Marian Fitch, Enid Hansen, Ethel Helgeson, Dorothy Johnson, Evelyn Keys, Grace Kipp, Dorothy Massey, Nina Montgomery, Henrietta Olson, Ivie Petersen, Helen Pollock, Ellen Price, Kay Putnam, Phyllis Shahan, Bonnie Shride and Alice Turnbull.

In July of 1974 a rummage sale was held which netted $210. Of their total funds the group voted to give the clinic $420 for entryway carpeting and an X-ray replacement bulb.  The Health Center Volunteers’ appetite for service had been whetted. Members had considered a thrift store for some time and a few of the members researched stores already in existence.  Simultaneously, a second plant sale netted an additional $519.

In May of 1974 negotiations began for the use of an old gas station that would, in time, become a thrift store. A three month contract at $18 per month to cover the cost of insurance was completed and the real work began.

Many hours were spent scraping the greasy floors with hoes while wall washing and painting progressed.  Some long tables were made, others were borrowed and some were strategically placed over the open grease pit so no one would fall. Pipes were hung over the ceiling to serve as clothes racks, the large double garage doors were opened to the summer sun, and the store quickly became a popular place to shop.

On June 13, 1975 the Health Center Volunteers dba Granny’s Attic was opened to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The profit for that first month was $1,120. The Health Center Volunteers then voted to give the Health Center $500 a month as long as the store balance was over $500.

In September of 1976 Granny’s Attic moved into a new, larger location on grounds first called Community Park and now called Sunrise Ridge.  Only the large room of the property was occupied at that time with a monthly rental of $150. Granny’s Attic expanded into additional space only six months later.  Yet again, in 2010, Granny’s Attic moved into another, much larger space “uptown” Vashon Island next to the IGA Grocery Store. Granny’s Attic currently occupies approximately 10,000 square feet of space.

Granny’s Attic is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that grants profits from the sales of the store to other Vashon Island organizations devoted to healthcare and well-being for the residents of Vashon Island.  Over the years Granny’s has funded flu shot clinics, medical care for those who are unable to pay, training at the Vashon Community Care Center and donations to the Food Bank, among other projects.  In addition, Health Center Volunteers have voted to annually award two $1,000 health education scholarships to high school graduates. Since 1976, Granny’s Attic has donated over $2.2 million in funded projects.

Many Islanders have blessed Granny’s Attic for being there to provide clothing, toys and household goods at a price they can afford. Many Island agencies fill their client’s desperate needs for clothing and supplies at Granny’s Attic. But the volunteers have found a unique fulfillment in their selfless work. While not everyone can contribute equal time or talent, the teamwork adds up to an immense amount of personal satisfaction.  Just ask any one of the Volunteers, currently there are over 120.