It's been one year since the Gloucester Community Shop opened its doors, and in that time it's donated $17,500 directly back into the community.
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Not bad for a bunch of volunteers determined to turn people's unwanted goods into a helping hand for a wide range of members of the community.
Many of the shop's volunteers had spent time working in other op shops but struggled to see the profits coming back into the community.
Motivated by the desire to simply give back, the Gloucester Community Shop held its official opening on September 18, 2018 with the sole purpose of giving every cent of profit back.
The shop has donated to a number of organisations, along with some very talented athletes from both the primary and secondary schools over the past 12 months, with the first lot handed out in December 2018, only months after opening, a feat that is very important to all the volunteers including one of the original founders, Di Relf.
"This maybe be just a small country town but when sports come along, Gloucester stands tall and proud and competes at a very high level," Di said.
A crowd of past recipients, volunteers and proud residents gathered for a birthday celebration on Wednesday September 4, one year to the day the shop first open its doors.
The morning was filled with expressions of immense gratitude from both the recipients to the volunteers, and the volunteers to the community for providing the goods to be rehomed.
"Without the community donations we wouldn't be able to give back," volunteer Doug Pittman said.
Since opening, the amount of donated clothes, glassware, shoes, handbags, toys, books, linen and bric a brac has been overwhelming.
"I personally would like to express my sincere thanks for the support, help and dedication shown everyday we are open," Di said. "Overall there is a sense of doing something good through what we have achieved and how we have given back to the community."
Not only was the birthday celebration about handing out a piece of cake to go along with a cuppa, the shop also managed to give a new donation to the Gloucester Scout Group on the spot.
The shop, located at 41 King Street, accepts donations during opening hours, Tuesday to Friday from 8am until 2pm and Saturday from 9am until noon.
"We have some magnificent volunteers with a smiling face," Di explained. "If you feel you are in need of assistance, please come by and visit us."
See how the Gloucester Community Shop has given back to the community: