Discovering an Orange Sky donation drive
Surprises delight me and yesterday it was the kindness of the Coopernook Pop Up Op Shop team that gifted me cause to smile.
Once a month I gather up my donations from home as part of my war on clutter, and travel to the op shop in Petrie Street when it opens to the community on the first and second Saturday of the month. I deliver my donations, enjoy a cuppa and a chat with op shop co-ordinator, Elaine Windred and volunteers, and come home with an item or two or three …
Yesterday as I entered the op shop I noticed the bright orange tub in the entry inviting people to donate items to Orange Sky. I was so surprised by the choice of the team, and Lower Manning Uniting Church, to once again focus community attention on a local service that helps homeless and vulnerable men, women and families in the Taree, Laurieton, Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Kempsey areas.
I am an Orange Sky team leader for Taree and came to know Elaine when she visited me on shift outside Manning Uniting Church in Taree. Our conversation about the personal care needs of people who use the service became the catalyst for Elaine to co-ordinate a donation drive.
“The generosity from the small community of people was astonishing ...”
The generosity from the small community of people was astonishing and I shared news of their inspiring contribution to Orange Sky in the June edition of Focus Manning-Great Lakes and on the Love Pray Do website.
I urge you to click here to read it, as you will learn about Orange Sky and the generosity of the Lower Manning Uniting Church and Coopernook Pop Up Op Shop community of volunteers.
I also encourage you to visit the op shop this month and perhaps give thought to also buying something to put in the Orange Sky donations tub. Every donation is needed and so gratefully received by every person who uses the service on the Mid North Coast.
Love, pray and do,
SAVE THE DATE
November 9: Coopernook Church Fete | 9am to 2pm
December 7: Coopernook Op Shop Cake & Plant Sale | 9am to 2pm
December 14: Coopernook Carols in the Park | 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Coopernook Pop Up Op Shop co-ordinator, Elaine Windred with a small selection of the personal care items that were donated to the first Orange Sky donation drive. Photo | Ainslee Dennis.
Coopernook Pop Up Op Shop is open from 9am to 2pm every Wednesday and Thursday, and on the first and second Saturday of each month at Coopernook Uniting Church in Petrie Street, Coopernook.
