Beginning in late May of this year, the Berwick Opportunity Shop on the corner of High Street has been on a donation spree, with charitable offerings from local CFA units to childcare services in the City of Casey.
The donations are an annual tradition, originally intended for CFA, SES, and other emergency services, but have since expanded to include other community-based services as well throughout the years.
The volunteer group’s president, Margret, said that they donate to almost 50 organisations throughout Casey, but also neighbouring LGAs such as Cardinia, and other areas in the hills.
When asked how it all began, Margaret said that “it was just from people who donated to us, and they realised that we donate all of it straight back to the community again”.
For Dawn, who is the group’s treasurer, said that “we feel good exactly because we give back to the community”.
Both Margaret and Dawn have been with the volunteer group for a little over 15 years, many other members along the same time frame, and some, even longer.
“We get a lot of support from the community with donations, and as mentioned before, I think it’s because they realise that it goes right back to them,” Margaret said.
“And I think this kind of thing, giving back, it’s important these days, particularly with how things are, how expensive they can get – some people just find it hard.”
The donations began up north, with a cheque handed to Captain David Van Loon from the Menzies Creek CFA, with the following on 30 May to the St John of God hospital’s oncology wing, palliative care ward and the recovery trauma unit.
The first day of June marked a trip to Macclesfield CFA to present a donation cheque, then on the following day was a visit to the Wild Days Wildlife Shelter, a family-run volunteer group caring for animal welfare.
The Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CNCISS) was also a recipient, followed by a direct donation to the CFA’s Rehabilitation Support Unit.
Other branches in Casey were also shown some love, from the Hallam CFA, Beaconsfield CFA, Clyde CFA and the nearby Berwick CFA.
Dawn, reflecting on the struggles that many of their customers and families they know of face, emphasised the importance on how their donation’s expansion has also included the local Narre Warren Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support, and other similar food drives in Casey, as well as community groups that tackle trauma and domestic violence.
“And with the prices, we try to do the best we can here, and it’s usually something everyone can buy,” Dawn said.
In the future, the volunteers at Berwick Op Shop are looking to continue the donation tradition in the coming years, fuelling the community spirit of nourishment and giving back to the people.
