Maggie Lien's late husband, Chester, spent over 40 years officiating high school and college sports, so it's fitting that the Macomb woman is paying tribute to the love of her life with a sports-related program at the YMCA of McDonough County.
A gift from Maggie in the couple's names has created the YMCA 'Replay Thrift Shop,' which opened Saturday. The thrift shop, which is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon through Dec.
13, provides 'gently-used' sports equipment, with everything tagged at $5, for area residents. The shop will not be open during the winter months as the shed is not climate controlled.
Notification about the shop's winter closure will be posted on the Y's Facebook page. According to Knowles, the final Saturday for the shop to be open in 2025 is Saturday, Dec. 13, and te shop will re-open in March 2026 for the remainder of the year.
'I am so happy to have a spot to donate used sports equipment and officiating apparel, and Chester is smiling and celebrating,' Maggie said. 'This is a great opportunity for parents who might not be able to afford items when their children want to try out a sport. I greatly appreciate everyone who donates to this cause.'
Chester's life was cut short unexpectedly on Nov.
17, 2023 on his way to an officiating clinic near Peoria. An educator and administrator, he and Maggie had called Macomb home for many years before moving to the Quad Cities region, and then returning back to Macomb after retiring.
Chester, who was a Western Illinois University graduate, receiving his master's in theatre and his doctorate in educational administration, had always felt Macomb was truly home, Maggie said.
'We're excited to offer the new YMCA 'Replay Thrift Shop,' which officially opened last Saturday. We are honored to pay tribute to Chester's memory, and we deeply appreciate Maggie's most generous donation to begin the shop, along with a contribution from the West Central Official's Association,' said YMCA Executive Director/CEO Nick Knowles. 'We're always accepting donations of gently-used sports equipment for the thrift store, and we'd love to have a wide variety. For those who are beginning their journey into an officiating career, we have apparel that was donated by Maggie for those in need of officiating gear. Items can be dropped off at the shop, which is located near the gymnastics center (318 E.
Calhoun St.) from 9 a.m.noon on Saturdays, or by emailing me at [email protected] to schedule a drop-off.'
'Replay Thrift Shop' will take cash, card or check.
YMCA members can charge items to their Y account.
