Being a volunteer at the Vinnies warehouse in Invermay, Launceston, has brought together two friends for life, the Marys. 

Mary Davidson and Mary Sulzberger have a combined 20 years of service in Vinnies after both starting out on a job incentive scheme. 

Fondly known to all their warehouse colleagues as ‘Mary S’ and ‘Mary D’, they have praised their time at Vinnies, with hopes that they can volunteer for many years to come. 

“We are both retired, but just love coming to the warehouse, we have a great social network here and we’ve met some lovely life long friends here.

“If we were sitting at home we’d feel like we were missing out.”  Mrs Sulzberger said. 

“I think we will both be volunteering here until we aren’t fit to any more, it’s great to get out of the house and we are helping the community too.” Ms Davidson said. 

The warehouse in Invermay has 32 volunteers to help sort through clothes, furniture, toys and bric a brac ready for the 7 Vinnies shops throughout Northern Tasmania. 

And there is always work to be done, with the donations rolling in. 

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“A day in the warehouse is never boring, we never run out of things to do, which is great and everyday is different.” Ms Davidson said. 

Mary Sulzberger even recruited her husband in to lend a helping hand. 

“My husband retired 7 years ago so I got him to come along and he really enjoys it, we both volunteer one day a week so we can come to work together.” She said. 

The theme of this years National Volunteer Week is ‘Give Happy, Live Happy’ which the two women are both advocates for. 

“Volunteering is great for the soul, you feel like you are giving back to the community especially during the past few years when we have experienced bushfires and floods. .” Ms Davidson said. 

“ You never know what is around the corner for anyone, you have your house and everything is rosy, but you could soon be in a position where that changes.

“So volunteering is good for your own mental health and outlook on life and we get to make a difference.” Mrs Sulzberger said. 

If you would to be part of a dynamic team of volunteers in one of our Vinnies Shops, our warehouse,  Vinnies Van  or York Place please call our State Office on 6333 0822. 

National Volunteer week runs from May 9-15.

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