THE Dunolly Uniting Church community recently celebrated our Op Shop’s 20th birthday. Just over 20 years ago the church council was considering our financial position. We had gone from full time ministry to half time and the future looked bleak. As we prayed, someone said, “Op Shop!” Our prayers were answered.
The Op Shop opened on 17 March, 1994. Of the original committee four are still part of the roster. Jim and Mavis McKenzie, Wendy McKenzie and Renee Hussey were part of the original group who started the Op Shop in two of the cubicles of the Sunday School.
Today the Op Shop covers all the Sunday School and is a thriving focal point of our church’s outreach. Twenty five volunteers are rostered on over three months.
Every day, gifts of clothing, furniture, toys and other bric-a-brac are left on the doorstep for the volunteers to sort. Recently we were even left kittens.
On the first day 20 years ago, $53.40 was raised. The takings for the first week were $210. In the first year $9960.60 was collected. In 2013 the takings were $33,866.80. Over its years of service to the community the Op Shop has managed to raise close to $500,000.
Dunolly Uniting Church continues to spread the Word of our Lord Jesus by reaching out to all members of our community.
By Jan Watts
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