Helping celebrate the op shop’s 10th birthday
Te Awamutu’s St John Op Shop has marked its 10th birthday in a festive celebration at the Alexandra St premises it has occupied throughout that time.
Cutting the cake are a pair who have been there since the outlet started. They are assistant manager Michelle Bluett, left, and manager Jan Hoskin. Photo: Viv Posselt
The event was held to celebrate a decade’s operation as well as thank staff and volunteers who have been key to its success from the start.
At the recent Waipā St John Awards, Te Awamutu area committee and Waipā King Country regional board member Richard Hurrell said the outlet had contributed $2.8 million to St John and the local community over the past 10 years. He said the number of volunteering hours in that time amounted to over 64,700.
This month’s celebrations included a cake baked by St John volunteer Christine Peterson. There was also a ‘sell-out’ sausage sizzle, cut-price bargains on the day, youth cadets handing out cake, balloons, stickers and colouring in for children, dress up and ambulance tours.
Helping celebrate the op shop’s 10th birthday are, group operations manager Jade Morris, Karen Phillips, Christopher Johnpillai, Jan Bolsom, assistant manager Michelle Bluett, Ces Heron, manager Jan Hoskin, Malcolm Kemp, Paul Walker, Christine Peterson, Karen Phillips, and community engagement co-ordinator Nicky White. Photo: Viv Posselt
