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Volunteers of The Factory ‘a good crowd’

 

BY JULIA WADE

18 MF-Factoryvolunteers1 copy-348With the final granting rounds for the year coming up for one of Mangawhai’s leading community funders, the many volunteers who help make it all happen reveal that the work is a labour of love.


Currently around 40 volunteers attend to the smooth running of the Mangawhai Community Opportunity Shop Trust (MCOST) aka The Factory, from people working on the floor and serving customers, to sorting goods, fixing and repairing, assisting with pricing special items, picking up and delivering as well as taking on the responsibility of Board trustees.

As well as being a place which generates cash for the community, The Factory is well-known for its fun, friendly w18 MF-Factoryvolunteers2 copy-799arm inviting environment.

“One of the most frequent comments we get from volunteers is how much they enjoy the camaraderie of working with other team members, the public and being involved in such an amazing service that gives all its profits back to the community,” says MCOST spokesperson Dianne Christensen. “We see it as a team effort which includes the people who donate and buy goods.”

Volunteers themselves describe The Factory as a ‘fun and stress-less environment’, ‘warm and welcoming’, a chance ‘to mix with the lots of very nice people’ and ‘to work with like-minded others who care for the community’. They all agree the concept of the shop is ‘win-win’ for  Mangawhai. 

Volunteer Lorna Cuddy says working at the Factory ‘gives me a true sense of fulfilment’. 

“What blows me away the most though is the generosity of the people that bring us the goods.”

Kitty Colliar says she gets a ‘great deal of pleasure’ from the work. 

“I just really enjoy my sessions in the shop, I try and put a smile on everyone’s face. Gives me a feel-good feeling to help get rid of people’s waste and giving all these things a new use to someone else.”  

Factory volunteer for two years, Carol Parkes also acknowledges the shops two managers, Lyndsey and Leah, and ‘Clara the supervisor’. 

“They’re just great to work with, their appreciation of us volunteers is extremely genuine and that comes through each time I work there.”

Another volunteer, ‘young’ local Lew Lathrope who just celebrated his 90th birthday on August 30, happily spends hours at the shop polishing the many donated brass and silver items and restoring furniture. The retiree, who left his maintenance job at Auckland’s Waipuna Hotel only six years ago at the age of 84, also spends his Tuesdays restoring artefacts at Mangawhai Muesum and Saturdays on the front desk. 

“So I’m pretty busy,” the great-grandfather of 10, grandfather to eight, and father of four says. “The Factory is such a great idea, with cash being shared around the community. People there are extremely friendly… a good crowd.”

Dianne says The Factory is currently looking for more volunteers and another two board members to join the team.  
“More people are always welcome… there is a huge range of different skill needs and options in regard to days and times,” she says. “The more members we have to spread the load means people can give some of their time without it being onerous… we enjoy having a diverse range of members, and would especially like some younger people to bring our average age down!” 

 If interested in volunteering and having some fun, drop in to The Factory, 5 Wood Street, and ask for a manager or give them a call on 09 431 3098. If you’d like to know more about being a board member email mcostnz@gmail.com or call Dianne 021 741 541.

1: 
Having a good time can’t be helped at the community op shop. Manager Lyndsey Williamson and volunteer Caroline Smith share a laugh.

2: 
Enjoying a Drambuie on his 90th, Factory volunteer Lew Lathrope says perhaps the secret of his youth is a variety of enjoyable volunteer roles and ‘cocktails of a cube of sugar, Cointreau and champagne’!

 
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