Helping people for 26 years
Charity shop supports abused children and destitute aged.
Vincents Charity Shop has been open since 1987.
The shop is on the corner of Barkston Drive and Susman Avenue, Blairgowrie. The shop is a project of St Charles Catholic Church, which donates money to Polokong Children’s Village, a home for abused children in Vereeniging.
It also supports Frederic Place, a home for destitute aged in Coronationville and the shop claims to have donated about R3.5 million to these institutions.
Myra Henman was the manager for 24 years after which Danie Pienaar took over last year.
“Managing the shop had downs but I loved it,” Henman said. “The best thing about the shop is the nice people. We have the most committed volunteers you can imagine. Some are still here after 26 years.”
For Henman the worst part of volunteering in the shop was witnessing shoplifting which she described as “very disturbing”.
Pienaar said he took the job because “children are the future of South Africa”. He said all goods were donated, and were cheap and in good condition. Goods mainly comprise second hand clothes, books, china, toys and bric-a-brac. Items that are not of good quality are given away.
Volunteers work in teams of four and each volunteer signs up for two or two and a half hours per week.
Pienaar encouraged school pupils to volunteer to fullfil their community service hours.
Details: Vincents Charity Shop 011 326 4992, Danie Pienaar 011 888 3421.
