General News
30 August, 2022
Students learn about op shop
TIMBOON P-12 School students found out all about the top effort volunteers at the Timboon Opportunity Shop (TOPS) put in.
TIMBOON P-12 School students found out all about the top effort volunteers at the Timboon Opportunity Shop (TOPS) put in.
Timboon Agriculture Project (TAP) co-ordinator Andrea Vallance said the Year 7/8 Humanities ‘Community Projects’ elective students have been investigating the various ways the community can be supported by volunteerism in regional communities.
She said last week TOPS volunteers hosted the class in the shop with students learning that TOPS is over 11 years old and has raised over half a million dollars during that time.
“As it is a not-for-profit (NFP) charitable organisation, funds raised are distributed to community groups that apply for funding around Timboon and further afield,” Mrs Vallance said.
“Not only do funds raised from sales contribute to communities, but TOPS donates clothes and goods to support relief efforts after fires, floods etc and charities such as 1000 dresses for indigenous grandmothers.
“Excess donated goods are passed onto the Salvos in Warrnambool or distributed to homeless people.”
The volunteers stressed to the students clean, unbroken goods were preferred, the type that, “you would want to buy”, as rubbish collection for unsaleable goods can be a big cost to the organisation.
“While on-site the students helped unpack and store goods and were grateful for the update provided by our hosts Brenda Parfett, Louise Blair, Rosalind Stansmore, Evelyn Thompson and Sue Brownbill,” MrsVallance said.
“Students were given an open invitation to be involved in assisting at TOPS or purchasing goods with thanks to the TOPS staff for helping us experience what is involved in volunteering in our region.”