It will come as no surprise to anyone who remembers the local Soroptimist International branch’s efforts raised a massive $50,000 from two garage sales last year.
The dedicated volunteers have been running their garage sales for more than 20 years, but this year considered calling time on the event, due to the immense amount of womenpower (and some manpower) it takes to pull it together.
However, demand from the public prompted them to instead switch gears.
This year, they will host just one garage sale, instead of two, without including heavy and bulky furniture in the mix of items on offer.
Since May, members have been madly collecting unwanted items from residents keen to donate to the latest fundraiser and now have a 40-foot shipping container and a shed full of goods to sell.
“We’ve got household items, clothes, electrical items, linen, tools, cushions, outdoor chairs, indoor chairs, tables; you name it, we’ve got it,” Shepparton Soroptimist Jill Pinner said.
“Everything you’d need for your house.”
The all-women’s global volunteer organisation has a focus on empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential, providing access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment, specifically those facing significant obstacles.
It also promotes gender equality and raises awareness of and addresses violence against women and girls.
Funds raised by the Shepparton branch will directly support local women and girls.
Ms Pinner said the group had recently donated $5000 to the Longwood Bushfire recovery and $20,000 to GV Pregnancy and Family Support.
It also regularly donates to causes such as Shepparton Foodshare and Riding for the Disabled, along with filling backpacks for homeless women and providing scholarships for girls.
Funds raised at this year’s garage sale will go into the kitty to be distributed among these and other causes.
The ‘giant charity garage sale’ will be held for two weeks, with potential to extend trading if goods are still available.
It will open on Wednesday, September 2 until Sunday, September 6, and then again from Wednesday, September 9 to Sunday, September 13.
Further donations can be taken into the venue — the old Barbeques Galore shop at 202 Corio St, Shepparton (opposite SPC Factory Sales) — during the garage sale’s opening days.
Cash and EFTPOS payments will be accepted.
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