Still time to op till you drop

You’ve got the whole weekend to recycle any unwanted items for this year’s National Op Shop Week. Dominique Pendleton says you might find something to fill up the new found space in your cupboard while helping others in the community who are doing it tough.

National Op Shop Week was kicked off last Sunday at an exclusive event at Vinnies North Parramatta store. The event welcomed Mrs Margie Abbott who not only wore a black dress picked up at Vinnies to the launch but also gave back by donating a few items from her own cupboard to the North Parramatta shop.

Mrs Abbott encouraged all Australian’s to give back to the community by recycling any unwanted items that could assist others in the community who are doing it tough. As Op Shop Week comes to a close, Australians might want to consider Mrs Abbott’s two year challenge.

“Apply the 2 year rule – if you haven’t worn it or used it in 2 years perhaps this is the weekend to remove the clutter from your home and drop it to your local op shop,” Mrs Abbott says.

“While you are there pop in and support the good work that your local op shop does by filling up the new found space in your cupboard with a ‘new’ but most importantly a recycled item.”

National Op shop week also provides the platform to reinforce to the community the importance of recycling and reusing items. Before you donate, think about whether your donation can be sold at a charity shop or used by someone in need. As a rule of thumb if you wouldn’t give it to a friend or someone in your family, it might not sell in one of our Vinnies Shops.

Throughout Australia, Vinnies operates 620 shops. By donating your pre-loved fashion items, you can give them new life. As we know, fashion trends are cyclical and return to vogue just like that old acid wash denim jacket hanging in your cupboard. By donating to Vinnies you are not only helping the environment but most importantly, you are allowing Vinnies to use all profits from its Shops to help people experiencing disadvantage.

Vinnies is greatly appreciative of all of the generous donations our supporters give us each year. Unfortunately, a small minority continue to leave unusable items outside shops or clothing bins. This means that Vinnies has to divert substantial funds each year to remove rubbish; this is money that could otherwise be used to help people doing it tough. So think before you donate and make a real difference!

For more information on what donations can be accepted in your local area read more here.