BEST Community Shed Volunteers have celebrated a milestone, donating over $100,000 back into the Inverell and surrounding communities.
Since opening their doors six years ago, over 20 local groups have received grants to help improve lives or local facilities, aiming to make Inverell a better place. For BEST Community Shed Store Manager, Robyn Kenny, the entire experience has been humbling.
“I remember our first donation, is was on the day we opened – $2000 to Operation Operating Room. It’s so hard to believe how far we have come since then,” Robin said.
“It feels terrific. Everyone is so happy to know their work is helping people.”
BEST Community Shed was born from community members identifying the need for Inverell and their determination to see it succeed. Today the Shed has 55 volunteers of all ages, dedicating their time to give back to those who give to them.
“We could not do what we do without the support of the community and their generous donations.”
“It has enabled us to do what we started out to do, what we promised – to give back,” she said.
BEST Employment CEO, Penny Alliston-Hall, has praised the hard work and community spirit behind
the BEST Community Shed’s thriving business.
“When you walk into the BEST Community Shed Shop you are walking into more than just a store. It
is a family,” Ms Allison-Hall said
“You feel so welcome and invited, that even if you don’t buy anything you have had one of the best catch ups you’ve had a in a long time.”
“It’s a great vibe, with wonderful people, and we are so proud and thankful to our volunteers for their time and hard work, and we are so grateful to the support of the community.”
Not just a retail store, BEST Community Shed has taken their service one step further, providing in
house welfare services to those in need.
“We really are a whole service, doing anything we can to assist our community,” Robyn said.
“We are still here; we are still happy and we can’t wait to keep giving back.”
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