By ALESHA CAPONE
FOR more than three decades Edith Grinham has been volunteering at the St Mark’s Anglican Church Op Shop in Spotswood.
The grandmother-of-six began volunteering at the store – which is set to shut at Christmas this year – when she was aged 44.
“The volunteers are getting older and can’t do it forever,” Mrs Grinham said.
“All good things have to come to an end.
“It’s sad in on way – it’s an icon. It’s a good service which the church has supplied to the community and the community have been very generous with donations.
“I’ll miss the people I work with here but I will still see them through the church.
“They’ve been very loyal volunteers and they never argue and they all work together well.
“It’s been a dream ride as far as I’m concerned.”
Mrs Grinham said she spent up to 12 hours per week volunteering at the op shop and often more during winter.
She said she has enjoyed making many friends through the op shop including Shirley Griffiths, another long-serving volunteer at the opportunity shop.
Mrs Grinham said film producers were among the op shop’s best customers, often visiting to find old fashioned props and costumes for movies.
“I think what I like most is the loyalty of the people and volunteers,” Mrs Grinham said.
“I think volunteering in an op-shop is probably not the most glamorous task in the world but I enjoy meeting different people and you have regulars who come in all the time.
“I’ve been gifted with plenty of energy and people ask how I do it, but God’s given me this energy and I have to do something with it.”
She said the op shop would have a ‘big sale’ in the lead-up to shutting down. The store is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am-4pm and Saturdays 10am-noon.
Mrs Grinham is a nominee for the Star Volunteer of the Year Award. Each week a different volunteer will be profiled and a winner of the inaugural award will be announced 8 January next year. Do you know a worthy volunteer? Please send details to star@starnewsgroup.com.au.
