Volunteers
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“It gives me a great deal of satisfaction,” Tara told Spoke Out.
“We get all sorts of people in from all walks of life. That’s why I love it. I really enjoy meeting the people.”
Tara had a business in Ardee and when she retired, she looked around for a volunteering opportunity. “It had to be something with a charity. I put my name down for here and when I was accepted, I was thrilled. I wanted to volunteer at something that would be beneficial to others, and it is.”
Tara works two half days a week and the most fulfilling part for her is seeing how generous people are with their donations. “People want to recycle, and it makes them happy that their recycling is going to a good cause.” she said
“When you get something like a real expensive bag in, you think oh that could get a lot of money. People are donating instead of maybe throwing it in the bin which is great.”
“It’s lovely to see the delight on customers’ faces too when they get something they need for an affordable price, there is a lot of satisfaction in that. We have a lot of First Communion Dresses in at the moment which is lovely to see.”
"I'd be lost without them." - Karen Glass, Shop Supervisor
There are nine volunteers who help out in the shop. Shop Supervisor Karen Glass told Spoke out. “I’d be lost without them. We have a good footfall. We have built up a good name locally. The volunteers do everything from sorting through the donations, putting them out on display to pricing. They are fantastic.”
The dedicated team of volunteers also includes Mary Reilly who travels in by bus from nearby Tallanstown to work in the shop. “I am ten years here,” she said.
“I have a lot of friends in wheelchairs and before starting as a volunteer I used to come in and out of the shop myself to have a look so I decided to put my name down to volunteer as I really wanted to work for a charity that specifically supported wheelchair users.”
“I do two half days or one full day. I definitely feel like I am giving something back.”
Mary values the friendships she has made during her time in the shop especially with the other volunteers. “We socialise together and watch out for each other. When you are not here, for example if you are sick, you really miss it. I really enjoy serving the customers and mixing with people. We get a lot of customers who come in regularly, so you get to know them.”
Both Tara and Mary agree that if the shop wasn’t there a lot of families would suffer financially.
“It is very busy,” adds Tara. “It’s like a real job to me.”
IWA has four charity shops in total. We would like to thank our small team of passionate staff and volunteers running these stores.
Your support is appreciated.
IWA Ardee Charity Shop – John Street, Ardee, Co. Louth
IWA Enniscorthy Charity Shop – Mill Park, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Y21 E8W9
IWA Tralee Charity Shop – 4-5 Maine Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry
IWA Listowel Charity Shop – William Street, Listowel, Co. Kerry
