The week for celebrating our op shops By Sonia Clark National Op Shop Week runs from MondaySunday, September 30-October 6, so why not pop in to one of our local charity operators and discover a whole new world of exciting bargains and seriously cool treasures. If the thrill of unique discoveries, bargain clothing and household items is not your thing, you can still support your local op shop by either donating pre-loved or downsized items, or volunteer your time. Op shop purchases help fund local community and care initiatives, as well as providing viable options for a more sustainable environmental impact. Nicole Croft, store manager at Bloomhill Cancer Care Op Shop in Beerwah, said that with an increasing focus on both local and global environmental issues, op shopping can offer a number of great sustainable benefits. Op shops also offer fantastic opportunities for volunteers to be part of a larger network of likeminded people. “We love our team of volunteers, and customers who shop with us are also supporting services that help local people right here on the Coast,” Nicole said. “Op shopping focusses on recycling and re-using, which is so important when you look at the world’s environmental issues today.” The Beerwah store has recently joined the ReturnIt scheme, with a recycling container that allows customers to drop off their used eligible drink
containers and have the money put directly into their account. For each item recycled, Bloomhill charities receive a small donation. Nicole said customers can also drop off unwanted electrical cord and the store will also recycle batteries. Op shopping allows people to find distinctive costeffective clothing. There is no need to follow the pack when you are op shopping for clothes and the rewards of finding a unique or ridiculously inexpensive designer bargain keep savvy shoppers coming back for more. “You can really express yourself uniquely – buying recycled clothing and one-off clothing allows people to dress how they love to look,” Nicole said. Anita Verwayen, centre coordinator of the Mooloolah Community Centre, said that the long running Mooloolah Op Shop offered some of the cheapest priced items on the Coast. “The op shop relies on the generosity of the local community and the profits are then reinvested into community support programs and wider rural relief packages,” Anita said. “Our volunteers do an incredible job and our prices stay reasonable as there are no expenses such as rent to cover. “Our local community is just incredible with its support of our shop. Most weeks we end up donating 40 bags to Lifeline at Kunda Park of items we just can’t fit into our shop,” she said. “Giving clothes is a great way to help the community,” says Jon Dee, managing director of DoSomethingNearYou and founder of National
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Volunteers Dale Fisher and Ann Slade at Bloomhill Cancer Care, Beerwah Op Shop Op Shop Week. “We need the Australian public to dig deep into their wardrobes and donate good quality clothing directly to their nearest charity op shops,” Jon said. If you would like to donate a large item, please call ahead to check that they can receive what you have to give. Op shops spend millions of dollars a year on rubbish removal so please don't give broken, dirty or poor quality items. Some of our local op shops are: Beerwah: Bloomhill Cancer Care (old Suncorp Building), Lifeline and the Beerwah Recycle Market. Maleny: Bloomhill Cancer Care, Salvo’s Family Store, Lifeline and Endeavour Foundation. Landsborough: Vinnies. Mooloolah: Mooloolah Community Centre Op Shop.
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