MANDIE RUSSELL
Staff Writer
Everyone dreams of leaving a legacy that will outlive their own time on earth.
Honey Coatsworth was known as “The Angel of Malibu.” As a Malibu resident for more than 50 years, her tireless efforts to help the homeless and hungry in her community did not go unnoticed.
Coatsworth passed away Jan. 7 at 86 of a heart attack, but the residents of Malibu will not easily forget their angel.
Not only did she self-publish three books and donate the proceeds to homeless ministries, but her legacy lives on in Malibu.
In 1973, Coatsworth founded a non-profit thrift store, The Artifac Tree. For more than 30 years, Coatsworth spent her days running The Artifac Tree and helping her community.
In her book, “It Hasn’t Yet Been Revealed,” Coatsworth describes the 1970 Malibu fires that destroyed 187 homes. She goes on to illustrate her own efforts to help, organizing workers and opening an emergency center in the old empty courthouse.
Her story continues: “When … we had to close our doors, I made a vow, ‘Somehow, somewhere, I don’t know when, we will have a thrift shop with a telephone and volunteers.’”
Coatsworth’s motivation was to be prepared for future disasters. But between times of crisis, The Artifac Tree helped improve the community greatly.
Walking into The Artifac Tree, its difference from other thrift stores is immediately apparent. As accustomed as our generation has become to the Goodwill- and Salvation Army-style megamarts of thrift shopping, The Artifac Tree immediately makes customers feel like they’re at home.
Not only does the smaller, more friendly store have a homey vibe, the merchandise is also quite unlike that in other thrift stores. All thrift stores are well-known for their off-the-wall items, but where else would you find ceramic jars in the shapes of a watermelon and a hamburger?
Combine that with a beautiful wedding gown for sale and a flashing sign that reads, “Shopping here feeds the homeless,” and the eclectic environment is complete.
Katherine Carter worked at The Artifac Tree for four years under Coatsworth, and is now serving as the interim president.
Carter said The Artifac Tree is different from other thrift stores because, “we personalize everything.”
Amee Winner, a volunteer at The Artifac Tree, provided more insight into the uniqueness of the store when she revealed that many of the donated items come from “supermodels and movie stars,” and that the things that are donated “are all family treasures.”
Winner said she has watched many happy customers leave The Artifac Tree with what they call “the find of their lives.”
But more important, Winner said, the store brings people together. Because The Artifac Tree is the only thrift store in Malibu, she said, it’s quite common for donors to recognize their own donated garments on people out in the town.
The Artifac Tree also strives to help those in the Malibu community who are less fortunate than its paying customers. Although everyone has seen the homeless on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, some might forget that even here in Malibu, there are people without homes and people who are going hungry.
The Artifac Tree, not only donates profits to help the homeless, which is the purpose of most thrift stores, but it personalizes the situation further.
Robert Lee Leonard was one of the homeless men who benefited from the volunteers at The Artifac Tree.
When he came into the store, Winner immediately took it upon herself to get him everything he needed — free of charge.
The Artifac Tree board is also concerned with the community’s ability to provide jobs for the homeless. “There are no shelters in Malibu,” Carter said. “but they’re working,” referring to a day labor site across the street.
Honey Coatsworth started this place for a reason, and the motivation from her volunteers comes from the same place. There is more to it than the pure will to help the homeless; their mission is Christ-centered.
There is more than the unique merchandise and environment that sets this thrift store apart. Carter says it’s a “Christian-based store. These are Spirit-filled people who work here.”
Carter also relayed a surrogate mission statement for The Artifac Tree, referring to the sale of shoes: “We’re selling soles and saving souls.”
This Christian-centered attitude explains the friendly atmosphere and the eagerness of the workers to help the community.
Coatsworth’s influence on these people is quite evident. “She was amazing,” Carter said, reiterating the appropriateness of Coatsworth’s title as “The Angel of Malibu.”
Everyone hopes to leave something behind: to have a legacy which made our dreams and our hard work worth all our lives.
Coatsworth is one of those people who have a legacy. “We’re standing in her dream,” Carter said.
04-06-2006
