Thrift shop gives cash to groups

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 413, 19 November 1991, Page 4

Thrift shop gives cash to groups

BY

JO

HOWIE

Val Cotton, and her team of volunteers work ' many hours at the Thrift Shop to raise money for community groups needy for some finance. Last year the Thrift Shop made a profit of nearly three and a half thousand dollars which was distributed amongst the community. The Thrift Shop is the little red box-shaped-building behind the Post Office, and has been selling second-hand-clothes sjnce 1981. Some residents may remember this building as the old Plunket rooms. During the mid seventies, the Camp Commander's wife at the time, Mrs Gordon, decided there was a desperate need for families arriving back from Singa-

pore, to have access to cheap warm clothing. Once a week Mrs Gordon and her helpers sold clothes in the community centre for one day, then the clothes were packed up into boxes until the following week. The St James church owns the building, and Val Cotton, Padre Ron's wife, spends well over sixteen hours a week running the business. "People think the profit goes into the church when only a small percentage does, and the rest goes into the community", Val said. Val has been in Waiouru and operating the shop for three years. She said since the family benefit was adjusted this year the saies are

notably higher. She also said a lot of customers came from out of town to use Waiouru's Post Office, and come into the shop. "When people bring in clothes to sell, we sell them and keep 30% of the selling price of each article, and give the owners the rest. Sometimes people kindly donate all proceeds to the shop, which eventually ends up in the community", Val said. "If the articles aren't sold within six weeks, they are withdrawn from sale and are either returned to the owner or donated to charity. We insist on clothing that's in good condition." Val said baby clothes and 1960 style clothes sell well.