Shopping for a cause: Revivals stores have reinvented resale while raising money for DAP Health

Sandie Newton
·3 min read
Sandie Newton and Steven Henke, DAP Health's director of brand marketing, pose at the Revivals store in Palm Springs.
Sandie Newton and Steven Henke, DAP Health's director of brand marketing, pose at the Revivals store in Palm Springs.

It sounds like a win-win idea — and in the case of the four Revivals stores located throughout the Coachella Valley, it is.

Whether you shop at the Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert or Indio Revivals stores, you are helping our community. Since 1995, 100% of all Revivals profits benefit DAP Health, the award-winning advocacy-based health center in Palm Springs that serves more than 10,000 patients in our community.

“We offer medical and mental healthcare, STI testing and treatment, dentistry, pharmacy and lab,” says DAP Health Director of Brand Marketing Steven Henke. “Because of a variety of wraparound services, we enable patients to experience optimal health, including social services, support groups, alternative therapies and other wellness services.”

DAP Health is a profound and crucial resource benefiting our entire valley, and an important part of the necessary funding comes from the Revivals stores. For 27 years, the retail outlets have served our community with an army of passionate volunteers.

Marci Lerner, volunteer coordinator for Revivals, praises her dedicated volunteers: “We are changing the world, one hour at a time,” she says.

DAP Health CEO David Brinkman says: “The financial contribution that Revivals stores provide to DAP Health is more important today than ever before. The AIDS crisis taught us that a community response is the most effective response if we want to address gaps in health care.”

Revivals is the only thrift shop in America to feature its own brand of new furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories.
Revivals is the only thrift shop in America to feature its own brand of new furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories.

In fact, this year the four revivals stores were able to donate $1.4 million to DAP Health, a very impressive accomplishment but not surprising when you realize the current trend and popularity of thrift and vintage shopping.

However, Revivals is much more than resale. All four outlets offer new merchandise as well as gently used items. From new clothing donated by local designers like Bob Mackie and Wil Stiles to the popular Mode upscale but modestly priced furniture line, customers have a vast array of merchandise to choose from, all while supporting their community.

It's the living, breathing embodiment of “shopping for a cause.”

Henke says: “Revivals reinvented resale, adding brand new items at affordable prices. Seven years ago, the decision was made to get into the new home décor business. Revivals is the only thrift shop in America to feature its own brand of new furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories. We love that shoppers can choose from brand new furniture and accessories while mixing their new style with thrift store finds from the decade of their choice.”

It's for this winning combination that so importantly benefits our valley that we award this week’s Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community $1,000 grant to Revivals so they may continue their excellent outreach and support.

“Now more than ever it is a badge of honor to wear vintage and second-hand clothing,” Henke says. “Conformity is out. Creating one’s own unique style, from fashion to furniture, is in. Being a responsible consumer plays an important role in shopping behavior. The stigma of resale is gone.”

Yes. Revivals truly exemplifies the concept, and it turns out shopping, donating and volunteering really does help create a healthier Coachella Valley. So, shop away, friends! It's a huge win-win for all!

For more on Revivals, including locations and hours of operation, visit revivalsstores.com.

Sandie Newton is an award-winning broadcast journalist who began her career in Los Angeles as cohost of the nationally syndicated show "PM Magazine." She went on to host many local and national shows like "Hollywood Insider" before becoming one of the original anchors for E! and a regular on Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family." In 2017, she moved to the desert full time, creating and hosting NBCares for more than six years, profiling over 300 valley nonprofits. She is currently the host of "Desert Chat," a new half-hour lifestyle show spotlighting all the good people, events and news in the Coachella Valley, debuting in September on KESQ and Fox 11.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Revivals has reinvented resale while raising money for DAP Health