Six years under their hand-me-down belt and still going strong!
By taking in donations of items that people no longer want or need, pricing them and selling them, the What Not Shoppe in Coronach has raised well over $120,000 for the community in 6 years!
The What Not Shoppe was the brain child of Jona Palmer, who at that time, was the treasurer of the Coronach Sportsplex, who was desperately in need of money. Palmer, along with Elaine Winter, Bonnie Duncan and Dianne Hancock, volunteered many hours to set up the second hand shop and continue to head up the operations of the store. The store has generated in excess of $20,000 each year since. After the first two years of all of the profits being donated to the Sportsplex, organizers made the decision to let workers determine where the fruits of their labours would be donated.
The 2010-2011 year, which ended on June 30, 2011 saw cheques totaling $22,680 distributed to local clubs and organizations in Coronach.
“We are still just overwhelmed by the money we are making and the donations are still coming fast and furious!” said Palmer.
Out of a possible 32 approved associations, 24 clubs received cheques.
The big winner of 2010-11 was the Coronach Kinsmen, who received a cheque for $3,290 with their club taking over all of the shifts for a one month during the year. This is another new feature of the What Not Shoppe. For the past two years, clubs are able to sign up for the entire month.
The club takes care of workers for the month, and they receive all of the profit for the month. According to Palmer, clubs approached them about this arrangement and it is working out great. The organizers are freed up from lining up workers and don’t have to worry about the schedule for a full month. Palmer said that four organizations have signed up for the full month over the past year.
The following is the list Palmer provided of organizations that received funding from the What Not Shoppe.
United Church Women - $2835; Faith Lutheran Ladies - $2660; Catholic Women - $2,520; Coronach Fitness Centre - $2,485; Coronach Dance Club - $1,470; Coronach Sportsplex/Pool - $1260; CHCF - Ambulance - $840; Coronach Community Park - $700; CHCF - Handi-Van - $630; Coronach Library - $560; Coronach School - $560; Coronach Golf Club - $420; Royal Purple - $420; Big Muddy Players - $350; Curling Club - $350; Fire Department - $280; Hospital Auxiliary - $280; Women Helping Others - $280; Museum - $210; and $70 each to the BPO Elks, Catering Club and the Kinette Club.
Greg Reaves, Vice President of the Coronach Kinsmen, was among the volunteers on January 12 at the What Not Shoppe. The Kinsmen have signed up for the month of January. According to Reaves, this is the second year that the Kinsmen have worked an entire month at the shop. “I am quite surprised in how well that store does and the amount of people that go thru here!” Reaves was surprised that the Kinsmen received the most money from the shop in the 2010-11 year. “It’s a great way to raise money and we are gratefull to those who donate their time and direct their funds to us.” said Reaves. He reported that the money will be used by the club within the community. Most recently, the club has used the money to make upgrades at the Legion hall.
The store is open Saturdays and Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
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