Community involvement for the Kendall Op-Shop occurs on many levels and in various ways. Op-Shop volunteers live in or have close ties to the community and the Op-shop is involved with local organisations. 

A  visit by student and their teacher from the local preschool saw their interpretations of Andy Warhol paintings displayed in the shop for a short period., the children were very proud to see their creations on display.  

Volunteers and committee members attend functions at the Pre-School, such as the market day and Kendall “Live Music for Schools” performance which is sponsored by the Op-Shop. We also collaborate very actively with the Kendall Men’s Shed. Recently the Men’s Shed members constructed metal storage baskets on wheels that provide our volunteers who sort clothing with an easily managed storage facility.

 

Kendall Public School

This was an enjoyable concert performed by young musicians with  pianist, Jeanell Carrigan, and conducted by Goetz Ritcher.  

 Goetz explained about the instruments, music rhythm, melody, harmony and asked the children to repeat the sounds of  music notes.  One child  danced to the music.       

Herons Creek Public School

Goetz Richter and Jeanell Carrigan led a group of young string players from the Conservatorium on a musical journey designed specifically for  children.  Once again each of the instruments were introduced and played so that the students could hear them .  He had 3 groups in the audience singing different notes together.

Community @3 initiative

The Op Shop was involved last year in an initiative organised by this group which assist those in the community who are disadvantaged.

The volunteers were very involved, selecting and providing sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothes to be distributed by Community @3.

Mid North Coast Angel Gowns Group

Selected donated wedding gowns are given to this group by volunteers. These are remade intro gowns for still born babies.

Rescue Dogs/Wildlife rescue

Unsaleable blankets and doonas are donated for use as dog bedding for rescue dogs.  Any pure wool electric blankets are donated for use in the rehabilitation of wildlife. (Wiring is removed)

Bushfire initiative.

The Op Shop provided funds to all surrounding local RFS Brigades after devastating bushfires in 2019-2020

Schools program

A distribution of funds to local schools is an ongoing iniative by the Op Shop, co-inciding with the shop's Grants program. Schools have the choice of where this money is used in their programs to best benefit pupils attending the school.

Flood initiatives

The Mid and Far North Coast  of NSW was devastated by floods in 2021 and the Op Shop contributed by providing store cards ((distributed by the Red Cross) to residents in severely affected towns. A lump sum payment was also made to a local Indigenous community in the far North region.

The Op Shop  provided funds to volunteers who were directly affected by flooding in the local region.

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Funding requests from these and other organisations are processed and announced on our Grants’ Night in March. The Kendall Services and Citizens Club provide a venue for our  Committee meetings, Grants’ Night and other gatherings throughout the year for which we are most grateful. The Kendall Community Op-Shop sits comfortably within our community and participates in a wide range of activities through every age group.