Thrift shop volunteer celebrates 90th birthday

  • Published
  • By Meredith Mingledorff
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  When the Thrift Shop was introduced to the base in the Atomic Flyer on Jan. 18, 1952, no one could have known a young U.S. military wife living in Taiwan, on her 28th birthday, would one day come to Kirtland to become the shop's most senior volunteer.

Delores Dicker came to Albuquerque with her husband, Frank, in 1986, and without fail, she has volunteered her time weekly at the Kirtland Spouses' Club Thrift Shop ever since. On Friday, she was surprised by her friends at the shop in celebration of her 90th birthday, no less than 28 years after she began volunteering at the shop.

"I didn't want to just sit around, I wanted to do something," Dicker said. "Besides, working here keeps me out of trouble."

One might wonder what kind of trouble a woman in her 90s might get into; but Dicker is quite the active individual. In addition to her many volunteer hours at the Thrift Shop, she also takes weekly ballet classes, skis regularly and went sky diving for her 89th birthday.

"She's a character," said Deb Moyers, thrift shop manager. "She's always laughing and smiling, always telling a joke. She's such a joy and we always have a good time."

Dicker says her positive outlook and active lifestyle are what keep her young, and there's no other way to be. She says she doesn't take medicine, she doesn't go to the doctor and she feels great. Strangely she also doesn't usually have birthday parties.

"This is only the second birthday party I've ever had. I just don't think they're important," Dicker said. "The last one I had, I was 6 years old."

When asked if she enjoyed her 90th here at Kirtland, she said it was very nice and she found the visit from 377th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Tom Miller especially delightful.

"He gave me a coin!" said Dicker excitedly while admiring her token of appreciation. "That was very nice of him."

"I can't thank you enough," Miller said to Dicker. "This is just amazing. This shop and people like you are what make this more than a job. You make our base a community."

Dicker is indeed worthy of both celebration and appreciation. However, she will be the first to tell you she's not the longest-serving volunteer at the shop, she's just the oldest. She's one of several volunteers serving in the shop since the early 1980s.

She says it's the people that keep bringing her back year after year and she welcomes members of Team Kirtland to come visit her and the other volunteers at the Thrift Shop during its normal business hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop is located at the corner of Frost and Texas streets, across from the Fitness Center.

Call 508-1114 for more information, including how to consign goods. Donations may be dropped off any time during business hours, and proceeds support the Kirtland Spouses Club scholarship program for military families. Volunteers are always welcome.