Volunteers Keep Their Cool

As temperatures soar, volunteers in the Rosanna CPS Opportunity Shop are keeping their cool thanks to a new dual system cooling system purchased with monies received from a $5000 grant from the Commonwealth of Australia, Department of families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Volunteer Grants Program. The grant will also enable the shop to purchase a lockable jewellery display case to display more valuable items.

Opportunity Shop Manager Mrs Mary Collings welcomes the improved conditions in the shop. ‘The cooling system will make it more comfortable for our customers to shop and try on clothes and provide our valued volunteers a more pleasant working environment for summer and winter.’

Sixty volunteers currently work at the CPS Opportunity Shop in Rosanna sorting and selling a range of household goods, clothing and bric-a-brac at affordable prices. Funds raised support the Children’s Protection Society in its mission to break the cycle of abuse and neglect for vulnerable children across the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Volunteers range in age from 40 years to the high 80’s and into their 90’s with quite a number volunteering since the shop started 30 years ago. Mrs Collings explained ‘Many of the ladies are now grandmothers and recognise the importance of CPS’s role in our community. We have many regular customers who appreciate the genuine nature of the shop where everything donated is sorted on the premises then either put up for sale or given to other worthy causes.’

Yvonne Clark enjoys her regular shifts having volunteered in the shop for over 4 years. ‘Op shops are not just for those with little money there is always something interesting to buy at great prices. It’s extremely satisfying and interesting work and I get to meet all sorts of people.’

Donations of clean goods can be dropped off during opening hours of 10am- 4pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am -12.00pm on Saturday at 43 Beetham Parade Rosanna.