TREASURE HUNT REWARDED

MAT-SU — The Rasmuson Foundation has awarded more than $466,000 in grants to the Mat-Valley Community Charities Agency.

John Rozzi, executive officer of MVCCA, said the money will boost the agency’s ability to continue supporting Mat-Su Valley residents, families and organizations in need, as well as pay for the hefty construction debt incurred for building the MVCCA’s non-profit business, The Treasure Loft.

Rozzi said $450,000 of the Rasmuson funds are being used to cover construction costs for the new Treasure Loft building. The balance of the funds will be used to purchase needed equipment.

“In order to upgrade [The Treasure Loft], we had to purchase the building,” Rozzi said. “What we’re trying to do by moving into a new building is to make as much money as possible to eventually give back to the Valley.”

MVCCA operates two thrift stores in Wasilla, and Rozzi said he and the MVCCA board filed for the Rasmuson grants in April.

“Me and the board determine where the money goes,” Rozzi said. “In the Valley, we’re the only ones who make money and then put it back into the community.”

The Treasure Loft sells used clothing and other items. Its new 13,200-square-foot store is located in Yenlo Square next to the Wasilla Post Office. Hidden Treasures, another MVCCA-owned thrift store, is a used furniture, electronics and household goods outlet located off Henning Street in Wasilla.

Net proceeds generated from the two thrift stores are given to community members in need and supplies for medical and dental services, Rozzi said.

Over the years, Mat-Valley Charities has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to community needs, Rozzi said, including The Red Cross, Daybreak Inc., Wasilla Food Pantry, Special Olympics and other organizations. The organization also makes significant donations for dental and medical services, including a wide variety of braces, special equipment, high-priced medical equipment and human services for its client recipients.

MVCCA also owns a large store of medical equipment that’s loaned without cost, Rozzi said.

“It is the community’s answer to high-priced medical equipment,” Rozzi said.

Rozzi estimates that more than 1,500 people have received benefits of the MVCCA operation since 2007. MVCCA is a sponsored agency of Valley Christian Conference, a coalition of 11 Valley churches.

Reducing construction costs for The Treasure Loft with the Rasmuson Foundation grant will enable MVCCA to fulfill its primary purpose of helping people in need in the community, Rozzi said.

“We wanted to reduce the construction debt we ran into building the Treasure Loft store and then looking into long-term financing,” he said.

Rozzi said the MVCCA is examining loan options to reduce long-term financing of both The Treasure Loft and Hidden Treasures.

“We have a daunting task,” he said. “We’ve got to pay monthly payments, and in trying to reduce those, take on long-term financing. We’ve not actually gotten into an agreement yet.”

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com, or 352-2269.