Busy Fingers...

Please be aware that the shop will be closed for the 4-day Easter Break from 7th to 10th April reopening on Tuesday 11th ANZAC Day is on Tuesday 25th April and Labour Day are Monday 1st May. The shop will be closed on those public Holidays, and the gates will be closed too, so please do not leave donations on the footpath as this is council land and they classify this as dumping and fines can apply.

Recently, we had a person shoplifting, when we asked to look in her bag, she became very rude, and attacked our cashier verbally and physically. Please note that a condition of entry into the shop is that we can ask to look in your bag. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated, we have cameras throughout the shop and if we can identify offenders we will prosecute, so please do not put us in that situation. We feel our goods are very reasonably priced, and we often have clothing for $10 a basket and furniture and other items half price so we feel it is unnecessary to steal.

When donating your preloved items to us, can you please check that they are in working order and that the clothes are clean. If clothes have been put in a bag damp and placed in our white bins it may be a few days before we open them, and mould is quick to attach. Thank you for your cooperation.

We always welcome new volunteers, so if you have a few hours spare please give us a call on 3408 1014 or pop into the shop and speak to Sonia, we are registered with Centrelink for Job Seeker requirements. Newcomers to the island can easily make new friends as we have an excellent group of volunteers working with us, it is also a wonderful way of supporting our beautiful island and its residents.

With the help of our supporters and the many customers that come through the shop we have been able to assist many associations on the island this month including our permanent assistance to VMR for fuel, Hospice for the Palliative Care Suite, and the monthly assistance with Foodbank and Fuel for BI Global Care. Dragons Abreast Pumicestone needed a Portable Storage Trailer, we have granted some Jerseys, socks and shorts and some training singlets to the BI Senior Rugby League Club. The Bribie Social Seniors needed to hire a bus as they like to go on bus trips, Gallery Singers needs a new electric piano, and BIEPA asked for some of the shop vouchers for their fundraising event in May. Mahalo Outriggers requested assistance in the rental of Port-a-loos for their regatta. Toc H needs to remove some trees whose roots are invading neighbours’ property, last but not least we have voted once again to be involved with the Blue Edge Problem at the Bribie State School which was very successful last year.

If you are a member of an island club or association and require assistance, please let us know. We try to assist all not-for-profit associations and sporting clubs, we also assist the Police, SES, VMR and the BI Hospice. Our President Pauline is quite happy to come along to your club and present our aims and goals and how your club can apply for assistance. Please call 3410 1920 or email busyfingers1@bigpond. com if you wish to have a presentation or if you wish to apply for a grant of assistance. When applying for assistance please include a contact name and phone number and also a current equipment quote (from an island business if possible), tell us a bit about your association/club and membership and why you need the equipment you are requesting, and email it to busyfingers1@bigpond. com Please be aware we only support Bribie Island associations and groups, not individuals.

I would like to thank all our supporters and customers, and a very special thank you to the Bribie Islander and the staff for their continuing support. I hope to see you in the shop soon.

Sandra