By PETER DOUGLAS
THE MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Shop in Monbulk is used to providing great service for the community.
Now, its operators are asking for a little in return.
The popular community shop is in dire need of volunteers and will face difficult decisions if further help isn’t forthcoming.
At present, the dedicated volunteers are doing extra to ensure the shop stays open week to week, but operations can’t continue at present levels.
MS Community Shops Support Manager, Kerry Reiter-Lynch, said the store needed further support.
“I am absolutely desperate for a minimum of five volunteers to help support this shop,” she said.
“Sadly, if we cannot recruit more volunteers, we may need to look at reducing the opening times of the shop.
“The funds raised by this shop go towards supporting services for people living with multiple sclerosis.”
Ms Reiter-Lynch said present volunteers had done an incredible job.
“We have people hop, skip and jumping all over the place – at the end of each week, I think, ‘we made it’,” she said.
“But it’s just not viable with present volunteer levels.”
The MS Shop opens weekdays between 7am and 4pm, as well as Saturdays between 9am and 2pm.
The MS Community Shop network comprises 11 shops in Victoria and one in the ACT.
There are plenty of high-quality goods on offer for the community.
That’s not to say volunteers don’t get plenty out of the experience, according to Ms Reiter-Lynch.
“It’s a very happy environment and customers love to chat with our volunteers,” she said.
“The role would suit people who are happy, talkative and enjoy engaging with their community.”
For more information, or to enquire about volunteering with the MS Shop in Monbulk, contact store manager Julie Piper on (03) 9752 0723.
