Charity shop volunteers

[abstibus]

Not sure where to put this, but here goes.
I saw a piece on TV last night about charity shops and it reminded me of someone I used to know . She was vvery well-heeled but had volunteered to work in a charity shop - that way, she said, she could get the pick of what was donated, and set stuff aside for her friends.
So, my question is - do people volunteer from a sense of altruism, or because they want to profit?

[theonlyone]

Most people volunteer as they want to help the charity ,and most of the shops have a dealer come around and value the china etc. The chances of buying an antique for 50p is quite rare .

[saxy_jag]

I think they tend to be staffed by people with a range of motives.

Some do it for just the reason you've stated. Others do it because they're retired and don't feel the need to work for pay: just something to do every day and a way of socialising. Others work because they have a dedication to the charity.

A lady I used to know was a paid manager of a group of charity shops. One of the biggest problems she had was that of getting the often elderly volunteers to rotate the stock and get rid of the unsaleable stuff. As fast as she'd put it away, they'd fetch it out and put it back on display when her back was turned. And yes, they did have a habit of putting the best stuff aside for themselves (and their friends). However this lady manager made it a rule that stuff could not be claimed by staff until it was time to put it in the shop. If she found it 'lurking', again she would put it back into stock - only to find it 'put aside' again the next time she went in.

She used to keep me laughing for hours with her tales of geriatric rebellion in her workforce - a very quiet, sustained rebellion because, of course, no-one wanted to lose the volunteers.

[lotdot]

saxy_jag

I love that story.

Usually the people depicted as swindling their employers are workshy layabouts, or skilled con men. But, these terribly respectable grey rinsed army are doing good but feathering their nests all the same.

[naomi24]

Everyone I know who works for charity does it for the right reasons, but no doubt there are some that don't - and shame on them.

[caz247]

i have done it for the last ten months and im not
old or grey haired yet lol
will stop when fit enough to go back to work
hopefully next month fingers crossed
i only do 2 days a week to stop me overdosing on
daytime tv and coffee

[VillageVicar]

I have a large active charity in the Republic of Moldova, where we have a home for victims of child-trafficking. Our websites intentionally do not attempt to raise money: instead, we want people to become involved. I'm constantly impressed with those who step out of the safety of their personal �boxes� and come to the unknown, offering to use their talents to help. Having said this, I�m also sad to say that we must strenuously vet those whom we take on board as there have been people whose intent is to further harm or exploit those who have already suffered.

From a guttural human emotion, our two deepest psychological senses, after survival are: �what�s in it for me� and �make me feel good about myself.� Those needs are addressed in many ways. I�m sure some of the LOL Brigade (Little old lady Brigade) are not only serving, but meeting those needs. It�s always a challenge to find the right balance.

This was an enjoyable contribution you made. Thank you! +Fr. Bill

http://www.projectnewlife.org
http://bigworldsmallboat.blogspot.com

[theonlyone]

V V, I did log on to your site , what those children have been through . Where I live we have a send a Christmas box to the children in Romania etc, it is well supported but unless the governments change their tactics not a lot will change for the next generation . God Bless

[gina32]

my friend is an assistant manager of a charity shop and she says they get the pick of anything that comes in before it goes for sale and they also get 25% off as well!!