DAPHNE — Cassandra Boykin has no doubt that plans for the creation of a new thrift shop were “meant to be” — especially with the help of local businessman Austin “Butch” Hughes.

Boykin, executive director of the Community Action Agency of Baldwin, Escambia, Clarke, Monroe and Conecuh counties, envisioned the new shop as a way to generate more money to help additional people.

“The way it is right now, we don’t always have funding to help folks in the way they need to be helped,” Boykin said.

“We were hoping to use the money generated at a thrift shop to help even more people in our area,” she said.

“For example … an elderly person who depends on their telephone but for whatever reason can’t pay their bill this month,” she said.

Transforming a vision into a reality can sometimes be difficult, but that’s where Hughes came into the picture, she said with a smile.

Boykin, who knew Hughes from previous business dealings, couldn’t help noticing when he began making some changes at his Daphne car shop, Colony Motocars Inc.

As it turned out, Hughes was also interested in helping with Community Action’s outreach efforts.

That was the beginning of his agreeing to donate his former office building and pay for half the costs of moving it to the agency’s Pollard Road site.

“Right from when she first stopped by and inquired about what we were doing, this just seemed to take on a life of its own,” Hughes said.

“And in the end, I was glad that we were able to work things out so that our building would stay local and be used to help area people,” he said.

“I just have to agree that this project was meant to be,” Hughes said.

Today, the building has been moved and Loxley Correction Center inmates are adding finishing touches such as a ramp, steps and underpinning.

“This is another way we’ve been blessed because these men are excited about this project and have worked very hard to do their best on it,” she said.

The 45-by-24-foot building is valued at about $100,000, Boykin said.

She hopes the new thrift shop will open in August.

Boykin also credits the City of Daphne with having helped move the project along.

City Councilman Bailey Yelding took care of getting the necessary permit, she said.

Daphne police also provided an escort for the building as it moved through traffic, Boykin said.

“Whatever we do, God just looks out for us,” she said.

A United Way agency, Community Action covers 5,658 miles in its five-county region.

Its programs include Head Start, Low Income Home Energy, Weatherization, Food Pantry, and Emergency Food and Shelter.

Donations are being accepted for the new thrift shop.

Clothing, furniture and medical items (such as canes and crutches) can be dropped off at CAA headquarters, 26440 North Pollard Road, Daphne.

Baby and children’s items are especially needed, Boykin said.

Arrangements can also be made to pick up donations from area homes and businesses by calling 626-2646.