When Susan and Kurt Krause of Gilbert decided to buy and operate a business, the one caveat was it would benefit veterans.

“We couldn’t find the right things and one day this popped up,” said Susan Krause, referring to the Veterans Donation and Consignment Center next to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7507 in the Red Rock Business Center off Shea Boulevard.

Within two weeks, the purchase “was a done deal,” she said.

Vladimir Buer and Bob Greene started the resale and consignment business in 2017. Krause trained under them before the sale of the business closed.

Krause brings 25 years of marketing to the job. She previously was employed by Embry Riddle University and The Arizona Republic.

Kurt retired from the National Guard in 2006 after a tour in Iraq. He is 80 percent disabled. He has become a new member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

His professional career was construction manager for several Valley cities; now he works for a private construction company.

“The mission is what we’re here for,” said Susan. Her 15-year-old daughter also helps.

Once a week, Fountain Hills special education students visit to improve their vocational skills. They separate donated men’s and women’s clothing, check for any needed repairs, and fold the clothing.

Donations for veterans will be accepted Dec. 15.

Currently the business is heavy on donations and is actively recruiting consignments, said Susan.

Especially saleable are small furniture items such as end tables, lamps and dressing tables.

“We don’t want things to sit here. We want to move merchandise quickly.”

She accepts upscale women’s clothing, handbags and jewelry. New appliances are welcome.

Rejected items are mattresses, firearms, housewares, pots and pans, sets of china, silver and rugs.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday,

The telephone number is 480-837-4694. The business also can be contacted by email at vetsctr@gmail.com.