Newby-ginnings – Helping the Veteran Community

Our Club was honored to welcome Theresa Hart, Executive Director and Founder of Newby-ginnings, as the guest speaker at our April 15, 2026 meeting.

Newby-ginnings of North Idaho was established in October 2013 to honor the memory of SPC Nicholas Newby, who was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 7, 2011. Their mission is to support Veterans, Active Duty Military, and Gold Star Families by providing essential personal and household items—along with guidance and referrals—all at no cost.

Theresa shared the story of the organization’s beginnings and its remarkable growth over the years. At its core, Newby-ginnings operates much like a large thrift store—without price tags—where eligible individuals can “shop” for items they need. But its impact goes far beyond that. The organization also provides critical resources, support, and a welcoming sense of community for those it serves.

Newby-ginnings partners with numerous local retailers, charitable organizations, and community supporters, and operates without government funding. Despite having just three employees, the organization thrives thanks to the dedication of a large volunteer base. Today, they serve approximately 200 families per day and have more than 7,500 Veteran families enrolled in their program.

As the organization has grown, so has the need for space. Newby-ginnings is currently operating well beyond the capacity of its 9,000-square-foot facility. Plans are underway to relocate to a 20,000-square-foot building—targeted for June or July—which will significantly expand both their “retail” area and, just as importantly, provide enhanced community space for Veterans and their families to connect and support one another.

The Club extends its sincere thanks to Theresa for her years of dedicated service to our community. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with her and the entire Newby-ginnings team.

Photograph: (left to right) Freda Campbell, Theresa Hart, Mike Lane (Club President)