Where have all the Philanthropists Gone?

It is a stark reality which we see every day. Things are tough, and people are doing it tough.  Many people in Queensland have been losing their jobs thanks to Government redundancies and families are struggling.

Sometimes the children from those struggling families, through no fault of their own, end up in Foster Care.  Foster Parents are  angels sent straight from heaven, they really are!  We have several foster parents who come into the shop to get things for "their" kids. One organisation who work closely with Foster families is Kyabra Community Association.  We have worked closely with Kyabra on a number of times, and it's an organisation who does some positively amazing work in our community.

One of the services provided by Kyabra Community Association is a Limited Hours Child Care (LHCC for short).  Kyabra LHCC is really in a bind.  Each year the qualified staff have been taking voluntary pay cuts just to keep the service afloat.  These highly dedicated staff are now in jeopardy of losing their jobs, and the service is in jeopardy of closing since the Federal and State Government has cut all funding to this (and similar) services.

Kyabra LHCC is uniquely different from other LHCC services in Brisbane.  Many of the children attending the LHCC are in foster care, or at risk of being in foster care.  It provides the parents with a respite if you like, allowing them time to attend meetings with Departments etc without having to take the children.

It also has joint programs with two local high schools and assists by placing their senior students who are studying for their Cert III in Child Care. This is such a strong and positive thing and the children at the centre absolutely LOVE the kids from the High School being there.

There is also a much higher child/adult ratio at Kyabra LHCC.  In addition to 2 qualified teaching staff, there are, at any given time up to 5 other volunteer staff.  This means at times the child/adult ratio is 2/1. 

I can assure you there's no place like it!I have myself been fortunate enough to have my youngest daughter attend Kyabra LHCC.  My daughter was experiencing troubles at her Long Day Care, to the point that she would burst into tears every time we drove past the centre, pleading with me "please don't take me there!". On the days she had to attend, she would literally cry and work herself up so much that she would vomit.  


She was 18 months old when she was offered a place at Kyabra LHCC and from day one, she was a totally different child.  In the past 2 years, I have watched her develop into an amazingly confident, happy, loving and playful child.  She wakes up each morning asking if it's the day she goes to "Pat's Kindy" (Pat is the Director in the LHCC).  I have absolutely no doubt in my mind, that Pat, Sannie and the other staff at Kyabra have been instrumental in this transformation in my daughter.

But I digress, the point of this post... Kyabra LHCC is at very serious risk of closing down. At this point in time, it's touch and go - they will be able to get by until the end of 2012, but beyond that, it's anyone's guess...

They are currently looking for benefactors who would be willing to donate money to support their continuing service.  Any support is tax deductible.  


Please, I urge, if you know of anyone, or any companies who would be willing to donate towards this magnificent cause, please do so!


You can find out more information by emailing alani @ sandlewoodprojects. org. au (no spaces)


I can't keep singing "where have all the philanthropists gooooone?" in the ilk of Paula Cole's "where have all the cowboys gone?" ... sorry it's embedded in my head! Anyone else? LOL

The Great Adelaide Whirlwind Op Shop Tour

Last month on the Queens' Jubilee Long weekend we visited Adelaide.

It was the first time for us, with our main reason for visiting being *ahem* the Adelaide Zoo, so we could see the pandas.  

The reality was, that we just wanted to check out the Op Shops in another part of Australia!  


So on Saturday morning, we were absolutely delighted when Tami from More Than Vintage came by to collect us for what I have since dubbed the Great Adelaide Whirlwind Op Shop Tour, or GAWOST for short. 


Ever the host, Tami met us at our hotel and swiftly whisked us away to her favourite Op Shops to hunt for bargains and special little treasures.  All the while delighting us with trivia about Adelaide, like the population statistics {LOL - sorry it's an in joke!} 


After venturing into the first op shop, the boot of her poor car was heaving with all of our purchases.   


I was saddened to have to leave behind the.most.stunning! vintage blue dinner set, but alas there was no way to get her home safely to Brisbane :(  


We ventured into a grand total of 5 op shops in Adelaide on the GAWOST, in a period of just short of 3.5 hours.  Some were small, some were huge, but none really held more treasures than that first shop we ventured into bright and early on that Saturday morning. 


Just to prove it, here is Tami (left) and Desley (right) showcasing the results of the shopping trip back at the hotel.

We want to thank Tami so much for taking the time out to meet us, and to take us to her favourite shopping haunts.  We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the GAWOST, and hope that we can come back again some time soon to continue on the adventure.


For those of you who haven't seen her store, Tami runs More Than Vintage where she sells an eclectic selection of VINTAGE - COUNTRY - SHABBY CHIC - VINTAGE STYLE - linen - craft - homewares - home decor.

Pick us! Pick us!

We'd be ever so grateful if you would vote for us in the Suncorp Back to Business Grants.

It gives us the opportunity to win a $5,000 grant to further assist our community. 
As you know, we'll be in it long after the floods - and will continue to help those who need it ;)
Our committment and vision is to improve the quality of lives of our less fortunate community members - flooded or not!


You can vote for us at this page https://suncorpbacktobusiness.com.au/nominations/sandlewood-projects?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d918764601538c5%2C0

Quality of Donated Items

We are blessed to have a wonderful relationship with Givit - Quality Giving Network- an amazing website which was created by Juliette Wright, a mum and strong believer of helping those who need it.

Recently she blogged at Giving, naturally about some of the problems charities face in receiving donated goods.

This blog entry rings so true to us!

We like to think that we can find a home for just about everything.
But there are so many times when we donations, and we literally stand there and look at it wondering "what the?".

With the recent flood, people have been giving us things in droves.  Many wonderful things.

But there's also been more than a fair share of things that absolutely, unequivocally would not pass on to anyone.

We get one solitary wheelie bin for use at the shop as part of our rental agreement.  In the last few weeks this bin has been full to overflowing by Monday afternoon!

There are certain networks that we try to utilise to enable recycling as much as possible. But, there's only so much we can do.

We don't sell rags, so any clothes that are stained, mis-shapen or have holes in them we just have to throw away!!  We often get people donating "things" with bits broken or completely missing - a coffee maker, a juicer, a blender, a vacuum cleaner!! (?) and these things are of no use to us, or any of our customers. 

Last week in particular, we received a donation which was left on our footpath - and left me totally astonished. 

It included (amongst other things)

• a childs' stroller covered in mould
• a childs' beanbag chair - also covered in mould and filthy dirty
• a kettle, which was literally black on the outside from grime
• a mattress for a cot, which had been stripped back to the foam and innersprings (there was no fabric on it and therefore it was a safety risk as a baby could easily get stuck in the springs!)
• a single mattress which was wet and smelt of mould.
• used pillows, that were yellow and smelly

What did this mean for us?  My brother had to take time out of his day to come and load it all into his car, drive it to my house and dump it here - where my husband then spent part of his weekend off work taking loads to the tip!! So not only did it cost us money (to take it to the tip), it also meant that 3 people had to take time out of their day/s to help us get rid of it !!

That said, we are often completely overwhelmed by peoples' generosity and kind giving spirit!

We love nothing more, than opening up donations of lovely clean, freshly laundered items, nic-nacs etc and we love the satisfaction that comes from matching those items up with people who want or need them.

Please, don't stop donating to shops like ours.  Your donations help us to help people who need it.
But please consider what you are donating. 

A friend of mine recently had a fantastic status update on Facebook which I put on our page - but I'm going to share it here too as they are great parting words.

"Please remember, if you are going to donate items, ask yourself "Would I wear this? Would I dress my child in this? Would I use this?". If the answer is no, then it belongs in the bin. People have lost enough, don't try and take their dignity as well."

Many THANK YOU's to some generous businesses!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who have donated items for people in the community who have been affected by the recent floods.


We have several amazingly generous donations, both from individuals and from businesses wanting to help!

We would like to thank the following companies for their recent donations :

Jacqueline Davis and Paragold for the donation of new womens nightwear

John & Ruth Lui of Winalite Australia P/L for the donation of womens sanitary products

Hailey Douglas and Aqueo Import and Distribution Pty Ltd for the donation of new Havaianas

 

Almost a Happy New Year!

I don't know if it's just me, but this year seems to have gone way too quickly!  It seems like only yesterday we were in the preparation stage of opening, and yet this year we celebrated our 1st Birthday of the Shop and also our 2nd Christmas.  We started up the website, and I tried to keep up (not very sucessfully I might add!) with the blogging to keep everyone in the loop of what was going on!

We've  been in the local Newspapers, and featured in local magazines like the Westender http://www.westender.com.au/

This year, we once again were able to assist many disadvantaged members of our community with the help of some wonderful friends. 

The lovely people at Givit http://www.givit.org.au/ assisted us this year in our Christmas Hamper Appeal by spreading the word on their website, and assisted us with the task of requesting donations of many non perishable food and household items. 

For those not in the know, Givit is a not-for-profit Organisation run by a team of hardworking and dedicated volunteers.  Their aim is to match up people in need with items that people no longer want or need.  I strongly urge you, if you have items of furniture or other items that you are considering donating to charity, please consider putting your unwanted item on Givit's website.   This allows organisations such as housing providers, crisis accommodation facilities, community mental health agencies and groups who help disadvantaged people in our area, to request and receive goods that their clients need.  

So anyway, the wonderful staff at Givit really helped enable us to help out families who really were in need at this time of year.  

Our wonderful friends Tom and Steph at Storage King Salisbury http://www.storageking.com.au/salisbury/  offered us up some space, and storage bags to pack all our parcels. 

 

With our volunteer troops Conwae, Cathy, Helen, Lee, Rosie and of course Desley, the team packed a total of 37 hampers and gift packs that helped out a total of 61 people in total.   I'm sure you'll agree that for such a tiny shop this is a huge feat and one we should be very proud of !! And so with that, Christmas was over, and it is ALMOST 2011!   I am so proud to be able to do such a wonderful "job" where I can be involved with such wonderful giving people and see all our hard work really pay off. 

So, at this point - I would like to thank a few people. 

First off, thanks to Desley, who literally never stops working for the Shop.  Even when she's not at the Shop (which she often is much longer than the opening hours), she's doing something for the Shop, or a client, or someone else who needs something.
A huge thank you to our volunteers this year, Grace, Ellie, Conwae, Cathy, Helen, Lee, Rosie, John and I would like to particularly thank Marie, who always comes rain, hail or shine and always has a smile on her face, no matter how big the daunting pile of donations she is standing in! 

Thank you also to Peter for stepping up and being the delivery/collections person most of the time until recently, despite also working a full-time paid job.  

A huge thanks also goes to all our regular customers, and our donators.  Without you, the shop can't continue to do the work it does and help people who need assistance.

So, I think that's just about it for 2010.  We will be open this week from 10am to 4pm and back as usual in the New Year after the Public Holidays.  

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

- Alani 

Spring is here!

The racks have been cleared with the Super Birthday Sale and we are currently in the process of bringing in loads of summer stock!  

We're also doing a little shifting around of things - so you may find that when you're next in things are in a slightly different spot to last time, so just ask us if there's something you're looking for.

NEW VINTAGE CLOTHING THIS WEEK

This week we have several new vintage/retro clothing items which have come in. 

We're currently in the process of laundering and marking - some is already out on the racks, but there is more to come!  If you are a vintage clothing lover, call in and take a look!

What's in the window this week?

1940's VINTAGE FUR CAPE 

This is the most gorgeous fur cape with pockets. 

It is fully lined in satin, and the fur and satin lining is in gorgeous condition.

  

What's in this week's window ??

Thanks to our customers who regularly comment on how inviting and interesting our shop window display looks.

I try my best {even though I'm not a window dresser} to display a range of interesting items from within the shop in our front window.   I thought I might try and regularly blog what's in the window, in order particularly to give some of our interstate lookers a chance to see some of the wonderful items we get.

Above : Vintage ceramic Bookends,   Vintage Cake Plate now SOLD

Above : Vintage Teapot

Above : Painted Timber Sewing Box {school project circa 1946}, Vintage Candleholders & Dish, Vintage Oil & Vinegar jars, Vintage Cut Glass Sherry Decanter, Vintage Small Round Frame with roses {circa 1950's} 

We've also got a collection of gorgeous Olga Berg Vintage inspired handbags.  Most of them will convert to a clutch look simply by putting the strap inside.  For those of you who aren't familiar with Olga Berg, they make lovely bags - mostly evening bags.  Sitting behind them in this photo are some whimsical little wooden birdhouses.  Too cute!!

Amazing Limited Edition Prints & Artists Proofs !!

We have been donated a stack of Limited Edition Prints and Artists Proofs from a Deceased Estate.

Artists include Darcy Doyle, Rachel Lewis, Gordon Hanley and Brian Wood.

I have just spent (literally) all day photographing them and over the coming weeks we will be listing them on eBay.

If you don't already check our auctions - our eBay ID is sandlewoodopshopmoorooka

I'll update shortly with some pictures of what we will be listing soon!

The Op Shoppers Guide to Brisbane and Surrounding Areas

Sandlewood Op Shop is proud to have been included in the latest 'The Op Shoppers Guide to Brisbane and Surrounding Areas' published by Suellen Retschlag.

Click HERE to see the website and details on how to purchase the book.


The Book Launch for the publication will be held on Saturday 19th June 2010. 

Hopefully Suellen has visited our shop and knows that even though we are small in size, we are a bit like the tardis - full of treasures and great quality items inside !!

** have you visited our website?? **

http://www.sandlewoodopshop.com.au/


We recently started a website, including information about the Shop and who we support, how to make a donation and other information about us.

There is also an "Items for Sale" page - and I will be listing things as they come in - in addition to our eBay auctions, this allows people from interstate to purchase items from us.

I have just uploaded 2 items - a great pair of vintage leather knee high boots- perfect for winter!, and a fabulous Country Road top that I just adore (if only it would fit me!!) .... so please stop by and have a look.... more items to come as time permits!

http://www.sandlewoodopshop.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=4

** are you a collector? or looking for something specific? **

We have a "wish list" at the shop.

Simply drop us a line at  sandlewoodopshop@bigpond.com to let us know what you're looking for.

Some examples of things currently on our wishlist are

• vinyl/LPs
• vintage handkerchiefs
• dinky/diecast toys
• retro clothing (we seem to get quite a bit of retro clothing in!)

Don't be shy - if there is something you really want, we're happy to get in touch with you if we get it in.

Last week we were able to help a lady find 2 items she had been looking for - a medieval style dress and mens tails (formal jacket).  She was thrilled! 

As op-shopaholic's ourselves, we know what a buzz it is to find what you're looking for, at a reasonable price. 

** vintage dressing table stool **

SOLD

Look at this beautiful old dressing table stool which is a well made and heavy piece of furniture. It has an upholstered top which could do with a clean or replacement and is in pretty good condition for its age - the timber does have some bumps and bruises but nothing major.


I cannot be sure of its age - but it has the clean lines of an art deco piece. Unfortunately I cannot offer postage for this item as it is much too heavy.

The stool measures approx: 46cm tall x 53cm wide x 38cm deep

Currently listed on ebay - auction # 230430908000

** vintage cast iron Spong No 2 coffee grinder **

SOLD

This is a rare old piece of cast iron. The company name and country are embossed on the piece, along with the no. 2.


The design of this mill has remained the virtually unchanged since they were first made around 1860. This particular mill was made earlier in the century. It features a wooden handle and can be mounted on a table, shelf or mounted on the wall.

It is in excellent original condition.

Spong made five coffee mills, based on the famous spice mincer and numbered them according to size from 0 through to 4 (0 being the smallest and 4 being the largest). Each mill works in the same way; the whole beans enter in the hopper, are ground by the spindle and blades as handle turns and the powder falls and is collected in the bottom of the machine.

$85 ONO

** wedgwood pink jasper ware bowl **

This delicate pink Wedgewood Bowl arrived this week.  It is in beautiful condition and would make a great addition to any Wedgewood collection.

** Stunning Indigenous Artwork now in Store! **

Yellowbelly Dreaming - M.Mcguane

We currently have in the shop a range of original Indigenous Artworks, by a young Indigenous Artist from Queensland.

Tomorrow we're having the local newspaper in, and they will be doing a feature article on us! {Well, more the fact that we have the Artworks in the shop!}

They are reasonably priced at $120 each - in fact, the artist does them especially for us at this size as usually his work is larger and obviously more expensive... he also does stunning pieces on Kangaroo Skins, and Didgeridoos - if you're interested, please contact us and we can let you know prices etc.

Keep your eyes peeled for our newspaper article :)