News
20 February, 2025
Lack of volunteers affecting Red Cross store operations
Toogoolawah's Red Cross shop is in desperate need of more volunteers, with current shortages affecting operations.
Due to current volunteer shortages, the shop has reduced trading hours, while working hard to sort the backlog of donations received after Christmas, a common problem after big holidays and weekends.
Toogoolawah volunteer, Anna Wheildon, said volunteering has many benefits, encouraging anyone interested to consider the local shop. “We’re looking for several new volunteers to help at the Toogoolawah Red Cross shop. You’ll be joining a group of existing friendly retail volunteers, and we have flexible days and times to suit you,” she said.
“Volunteering has many benefits including forging new and lasting friendships, learning new skills, improving confidence and your self-esteem, combatting loneliness, helping the community in a positive way, having a sense of purpose and sharing your culinary skills over a cuppa. It’s rewarding.”
The volunteer work involved at the shop is varied and includes sorting and processing the donations received from the public. This includes sometimes separating and re-using clothing items that may not be suitable for sale, by cutting the fabric up for rags, which Anna says local businesses love to buy. The work also involves displaying good quality clothes, shoes, toys, bric-a-brac, and other donations “in an attractive manner” on the shop floor.
“Of course, we pride ourselves on having a clean and tidy shop, so the necessary jobs are done to achieve this,” she said.
“We’ve had extremely talented volunteers in the past who have converted our two changing rooms into works of art, with beautifully painted murals inside.”
According to Anna, their local struggle for volunteers is a reflection of the struggle many charities across the state are facing, especially in attracting young volunteers. Despite the shortage, Anna said the shop is very thankful to the community and their loyal customers, with their support and donations being “very much appreciated.”
“For anyone thinking about volunteering, please consider Australian Red Cross and not forgetting your local shop in Toogoolawah,” she said.
The shop has a number of flexible volunteering opportunities between 09:00 and 14:00 on weekdays and between 09:00 and 12:00 on Saturdays, hoping to extend their trading hours once new volunteers have been recruited.
Australian Red Cross provides a huge range of humanitarian services through its 20,000 plus staff, members, and volunteers, including Aged Care programs, disaster relief and recovery, as well as support for refugees and migrants.
If you’re interested in volunteering at the Australian Red Cross Shop in Toogoolawah, please contact them by email at awheildon@redcross.org.au, by calling 04 1777 3723, or visit this link.
