Golden Opportunity Shop pledges October takings to cancer cause

The Golden Opportunity Shop in Deloraine is pledging that every dollar raised at the store throughout October will go towards a cause covering all cancers.

Last year the shop’s October takings reached $6,000, and this year volunteers are hopeful they can raise even more this time round. To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the store has dressed its window “in the pink”, a visible reminder of how many in the community have been touched by cancer in some way.

Located at 11 Emu Bay Road, the Golden Opportunity Shop has been operating for nearly 50 years and has long lived by its motto: “What you spend here stays in our community.” Over the decades it has donated proceeds to local schools, sporting organisations, Deloraine House, Giant Steps, Teen Challenge Tasmania and countless families and individuals facing hardship.

The shop is run entirely by a team of about 20 dedicated volunteers who keep it stocked with donated clothing, bric-a-brac, linen and other smaller goods. While the store cannot handle large items such as furniture or whitegoods, it gladly accepts quality donations throughout the year. Previously a cash-only operation, the shop now has EFTPOS facilities, making it easier for customers to support local causes with every purchase.

The volunteers behind the counter say there is a lot of unseen work involved, from sorting and cleaning to pricing and selling. They believe it is the generosity of the community that keeps the doors open. “We could not operate without the donations we receive and the volunteers who give their time. Without that support, we would not be able to give back the way we do,” they tell us. Volunteers wanted the focus to remain on the good cause, and did not want to use their names in this article.

With its strong track record and loyal supporters, the Golden Opportunity Shop is encouraging locals to shop, donate and spread the word during October, helping to make this year’s fundraising effort the biggest yet.