THE fabulous volunteers of the San Remo Opportunity Shop have raised more than $1 million for Bass Coast Health (BCH). Fundraising by the Op Shop Auxiliary has enabled BCH to buy vital medical equipment to enhance care for the community.
“Since 2016, we have donated to the L. Rigby Centre for cancer care, District Nurses, Dental Clinic and Maternity services, as well as items like scanners, an ultrasound machine, adjustable beds, chemotherapy chairs, cars, two haemodialysis chairs with armrests, syringe drivers, a bilirubin meter and furniture for Griffiths Point Lodge residential care centre, just to name some,” President Sara Fleisner said.
While the Op Shop Auxiliary has raised the spectacular amount of $1,187,725 since its formation in 2016, that sum is even more impressive when you consider many items are sold for just a few dollars!
BCH Interim CEO, Professor Simone Alexander, said the health service and the broader community valued the dedication and contribution of the op shop volunteers.
“Through their hard work and commitment, we’re able to purchase state-of-the-art equipment to help us provide more services to our community, closer to their homes, and for that, we’re truly grateful,” she said.
The shop also supports other charities by donating goods, such as prescription spectacles to the Fred Hollows Foundation, damaged wetsuits to the Lymphedema Foundation to make compression socks, and books to Bill’s Shed, which raises funds for Melaleuca Lodge at Cowes.
Personal care products are given to women’s refuges and Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre; stationery and craft materials are sent to after school care groups; clothing to Armitage House Sub-Acute Ward at Wonthaggi Hospital for patients who arrive with little or no belongings; and jackets are given to the homeless through the San Remo Bendigo Bank’s annual collection.
More to follow in print next week.
