Goodwill thrift stores help seniors get pre-registered with state for vaccine

A thrift store is joining in on the battle to help vaccinate seniors.

More than two dozen people have been able to sign up for pre-registration at the Goodwill Community Resource Center.

“We saw that there’s a great need and we have a lot of elderly that come in here and they don’t know how to use a computer,” said coordinator Estrella Rodriguez. “We thought, why not? We need to help the people administering these vaccines, so we can help everybody.”

Richia Reynolds is one step closer to getting the COVID-19 vaccine thanks to Goodwill.

“I’ve been seeing the lines and I just didn’t want to deal with it,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds has COPD, but lacks internet access at home. That’s why Reynolds went to Goodwill Community Resource Center where Rodriguez helped the 77-year-old sign up for a shot on the state’s pre-registration site.

“It’s frustrating when you don’t have the tools that you need to move forward with the things in life such as getting the COVID vaccine,” Rodriguez said.

After entering Reynolds’s information into the system, Rodriguez handed Reynolds a printed copy for proof and instructions on what to expect next.

“It seems good,” Reynolds said. “I’ll wait for them to give me a call.”