Since the Gumeracha Community Op Shop Inc. (GCOS) opened in February this year, over $7,000 has been raised and distributed back to Community Groups. Proceeds have gone to: Gumeracha – Tennis Club, History Centre, Hospital Auxiliary, Uniting Church and Medieval Fair. CFS – Gumeracha, Forreston and Group Cadets. Torrens Valley – Childcare Centre, Soccer Club and Lions Club. Schools – Birdwood High School and Gumeracha Primary.

The Op Shop’s policy is; the hours worked by a Volunteer, are calculated as a percentage against net profits which is distributed to the Charity or Group that the Volunteer nominated. So if anyone would like to help fundraise for a Community Group, this is a easy way to do it! Volunteers with a CentreLink commitment are welcome.

The GCOS Committee has been extremely pleased with the success of the venture and would like to thank the local Community for their generosity, ranging from the donation of goods, purchases and their moral support. GCOS donates items to a variety of charity groups who are involved with Local, Australian and Global Support programs.

They include; materials for bedding to Lutheran Community Care at Blair Athol, stuffed toys to “Project School Bags for Bougainville” via Lobethal Uniting Church, babies booties and bonnets and children’s clothes to the Women’s & Children Hospital, rugs and shoes to “a Project” in Africa, woollen jumpers to a local knitting group, magazines to Gumeracha Hospital Auxiliary, bandannas as neckerchiefs to local CFS fire-fighters, books are kept for the Gumeracha “Friends of the Library” Book Sales, reading glasses are donated to the Torrens Valley Lions Club for use overseas, and old cotton items are recycled into rags and donated to the technical classes at Birdwood High School.

GCOS believe in recycling, re-using or handing on items to other charities, groups and schools. Donations can be left on the Shop’s front verandah (24 Albert Street), or you can phone one of the co-ordinators, Sisi Sigmund on 8389 1650 or Mary Davis on 8568 5658. They accept furniture donations and are able to arrange pick up for large donations if needed.

To farewell Winter and welcome in the Spring, the Op Shop is having a SALE, with most Clothing and Shoes at only 50 cents per item!! The sale runs from September 16th to 31st. Opening Hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 4.30pm; Saturday, 11am to 3.00pm; 3rd Sunday of each month, 10am to 4.00pm.