Jim Fagan
It was party time for Katie Rose Cottage Hospice volunteers at their Tewantin Op Shop last Tuesday. And they had a double cause for celebrating.
Since it opened six years ago this month the op shop has been the place to go for shoppers looking for quality clothes and other items at very affordable prices.
In January last year it relocated to Poinciana Avenue and manager Tina Grigson decided it was time to hold a party to celebrate both anniversaries.
Past and present volunteers attended and heard hospice chief executive officer John Gabrielson say Katie Rose was a volunteer organisation powered by about 260 vollies and some paid staff.
“We couldn’t exist without volunteers. That was really clear when we put this shop on the ground 12 months ago. The shop has been a wonderful success ever since and not just financially.
“We are becoming more and more well known for our palliative and end of life care. Our services are all being talked about a bit more because of this shop and our other shops at Noosaville, Cooroy and Maroochydore.”
Earlier, Tina said she believed the op shop would not be operating nearly as successfully as it has if donations had not been of a superbly high quality and the relationship the volunteers had cemented with the local community.
And that she was equally certain this “most amazing support” for the compassionate work of the Doonan hospice will continue for “not just six years but another 60.”
