After a bumper year in sales, the Stawell's Book Worm Gallery op shop presented $30,000 in donations to two of the towns largest health care providers on Friday, the largest donation in the shops history.
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Stawell Regional Health and Eventide Home aged-care facility both accepted $15,000 cheques as the Book Worm Gallery continued its legacy of supporting some of the town's most important organisations.
Eventide Homes chief executive Sue Blakey said the aged-care facility loved the work of the volunteers and was looking forward to putting the donation into action.
"You don't know how much we appreciate this, it's amazing how all the volunteers are able to give up their time, thank you from the bottom of our hearts," she said
"It is just amazing and we appreciate it so much, our residents really benefit from it and it changes their lives.
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"Over the last 13 years you (the Book Worm Gallery) have given us $83,000, so when I add another $15,000 you have given us almost $100,000.
"The last couple of years we have used the money to refurbish a couple of wings and some low beds and we also bought a virtual forest entertainment program for the residents.
"And our last one was put towards our outdoor decking and now we just got a grant for some shade sails so it will help add to that.
"Well down to all the volunteers you are amazing."
Stawell regional health chief executive officer Kate Pryde said the donation was very generous and was hoping to use the funds for upgrades around the health care centre.
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Stawell Regional Health employee and Book Worm Gallery weekend volunteer Helen Kennedy said she loves her work with the op shop.
"As a volunteer, I get so much out of volunteering in our local community," she said.
"I work here Saturdays and the joy I get from being here, I get to meet the locals, tourists and the feedback we get about the store is fantastic.
"People are excited and they always find a hidden gem, so working here has given me more than I could ever give back to the community."
The Book Worm Gallery has been open in Stawell, in a number of different shapes and sizes, for 17 years and has been donating to health care organisations like these since 2007.
The organisation is entirely volunteer run, with no wages paid and most available funds given back to the community through similar donations.
There are eight staff who work with the op shop, and after receiving a large amount of donations in 2020 they are looking forward to keeping the goods out of landfill and finding them a new home.
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