Our Story

A Non-Profit Thrift Store Whose Proceeds Support Alzheimer’s Research.

Guardian Angel Thrift Inc. is a nonprofit organization supporting Alzheimer’s Research, born from an idea of how to raise money for research to help find a cure for this disease. Our founder, Laura Gaddis, saw her mother suffer from Alzheimer’s for 12 years. Nearing the end of her mother’s life, she woke one morning with a plan she quickly put on paper — a non-profit thrift store funding Alzheimer’s research.

She then opened a small 1,400 sq. ft. store in Fuquay-Varina, NC. With the help of her daughter Shari, her sister Martha, and her husband Dave, Guardian Angel Thrift Inc. grew into a large 26,000 sq. ft. store in 4 years. As of 2022, we have four branches across North Carolina. Our main location remains in Fuquay-Varina, along with Little Angel Children’s Thrift and Thriftronix our Electronic Thrift Store. Our fourth location is in Apex, NC.

Thanks to our public support, we have been able to contribute over $3,000,000.00 for Alzheimer’s Research in the state of North Carolina. 80% of our profits after operational expenses go to Alzheimer’s Research.

GAT 25th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, October 26, 2024

For additional details on this event and to buy tickets, please click the image below.

Click on the image for the keynote speaker presentation at our 2024 Spring Fundraiser.

Guardian Angel Thrift was created by Ms. Laura and Family to honor their mother, Lina Mae Ferrell Edwards, who bravely battled this illness for twelve years, and father, William Levi, who selflessly cared for her during that time.

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