Even as we continue to ease out of COVID-19 restrictions, there are still guidelines and rules to follow. It's not only impacting events we enjoy attending, but also those organizations that depend on these events to remain operational. For one such organization, a volunteer rescue squad, it means getting creative.

The South Jefferson Rescue Squad answers more than 1,100 calls a year. The small community volunteer organization often hosts fundraising events to cover the cost. However, this year, many of those events can't yet be held. So, the squad's leadership thought outside the box.

"I came up with the idea and people seemed to think it would be something that would be well received and could be used very good for our community," said Deborah Singleton, the South Jefferson Rescue Squad executive director.

Born was "Rescued Treasures." It is a thrift store in Adams Center owned and operated by the South Jeff Rescue Squad.

The community has been without such a businesses for almost a year now, and there is a need.

Every item it sells has been donated by a community member and proceeds go to ensuring the squad can remain operational.

"Health care costs keep increasing. Insurance companies are continually looking to pay less. We're looking to offset the costs so that we aren't such a burden on the taxpayers," Singleton added.

Just a few minutes after opening, it was clear Singleton's gut feeling was right. The store drew quite the crowd.

"It's nice that it's close to home for a lot of us too because a lot of things we have to travel to the city for and that sort of thing," Adams Center resident Caitlin Gaskin said. "It's nice to be able to be home and support something close to home."

Support the ambulance squad hopes to get in full force when it hosts its grand opening this Saturday.