The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) is a lay Catholic organisation made up of 10,000-plus members of volunteers and employees across Australia.
They provide support to people living in poverty or seeking assistance through more than 200 programs and services across Australia.
Vinnies at Victor Harbor supports many services such as the Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre and Men’s Shelter, Fred’s Van and the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service; it is open seven days a week and is always buzzing with activity.
All of this is only possible with amazing volunteers like Margaret Redden who volunteers with Vinnies as a retail assistant and is responsible for sorting the jewellery items and other things that people bring in for donation.
Margaret grew up on a farm, spent 30 years teaching in the country, and then decided to retire in Victor Harbor with her husband.
She still wanted to work but not be tied down in a job.
Luckily, she had a friend who was already volunteering with Vinnies who encouraged her to join.
She loves the camaraderie and fun she gets from working with Vish, the store manager, and the other volunteers.
She also enjoys meeting customers, and sorting and getting things ready for sale.
She says she has learned a lot about brands of jewellery and homewares, modern and antique, and their current values.
When asked whether she thinks volunteers make a difference to the community, she said there were “untold benefits”.
“Vinnies raises money for vulnerable people,” she said.
“Communities would suffer without volunteering. Clubs, charities could not function.
“I have recommended volunteering to many people.
“Sometimes we get so many donations of goods that I feel overwhelmed. Recruitment of volunteers is crucial.”
If you are considering volunteering at Vinnies in Victor Harbor, they currently need Retail Assistants to join the team.
For more information, contact Southern Volunteering on 8552 7858 or Email: regional@svsa.org.au
