It's all in the little details for one volunteer at the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
Keana Johnson has volunteered with the Salvation Army for 17 years and has seen the store move around town to finally settle at its present location, 3500 18th Ave.
Store manager Mary Kutzy said she really enjoys working alongside Johnson and is often outdone in the details of a job because Johnson is so meticulous.
When Johnson started her volunteerism, she said her reliability got her some perks.
"It was Nov. 18, 1999 when I started," said Johnson. "And because I would come in every time I was asked to and I did that for a long, long time I was given an open schedule and it was explained to me that meant I could come in any day and any time I wanted."
Johnson was given a jacket to acknowledge 500 hours of service and then later acknowledged with a trophy for 1,000 hours of service. She was also acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation for her 17 years of service recently at an awards banquet for Salvation Army volunteers.
Johnson is trading the gray jacket in for a black one, because that's her favourite colour and her certificate is in a special binder at home that holds her high school diploma, her food safe certificate and other special documents she holds dear. The trophy sits right beside a special frame that holds her high school graduation photo.
"It's a known fact that I've been volunteering here forever - 17 years," said Johnson.
Her manager has worked with Johnson for seven years.
"Keana does amazing work," said Kutzy.
"She's fantastic with the customers."
Johnson will complete her tasks while standing close to the cash register where she can see the customers come and go.
"Half the town recognizes her because of her volunteering here over the years," said Kutzy. "And customers will often stop to chat and visit with Keana and she has a great time."
Johnson's duties include preparing tissue paper for use for the breakables that are leaving the store, organizing clothes hangers and clothing, along with many other duties, said Kutzy.
"Nobody can do it like Keana," said Kutzy. "When we look at the tissue paper we can tell which was prepared by Keana because she's perfect at it. She's very organized, very detailed. Keana knows her dates and her numbers and has a memory like you wouldn't believe."
She's been part of the Salvation Army Thrift Store for 17 years and Kutzy wanted to know what the future holds.
"How does another 17 years sound to you, Keana, are you going to stay with us?" asked Kutzy.
"Well, I sure hope so," said Johnson.
Flip through The Citizen's Volunteer City series, featuring stand-out volunteers in Prince George:
