Santa Carrying Shopping BagsDid this year’s Christmas presents miss the mark? Not impressed with the joke hand towel, the ‘his and hers’ bath robes, rainbow socks, keep calm t-shirt, fluffy slippers, wallet chain, crazy pattern leggings or animal suit?

“Don’t ditch your unwanted Christmas presents, donate them to a Red Cross Shop” says Red Cross Shops General Manager, Kate Dear.

“It’s been found Australians spend over $1 billion each year on unwanted gifts” says Kate.

“Instead of throwing away your dud presents, why not re-gift them? All our shops are desperate for donations of unwanted clothing, bric-a-brac and gifts.

“The proceeds from our shops help fund the everyday work of Red Cross such as making daily phone calls to elderly people who live alone, breakfast for schoolkids who might otherwise go to school hungry and clean drinking water for vulnerable families in the Asia-Pacific.

“Donations can be delivered to any Red Cross store Monday to Friday, and in some busier locations, seven days a week. Unfortunately we can’t accept donations of electrical items, large furniture or mattresses and we ask people not to dump rubbish or leave large items outside our shops” says Kate.

Red Cross Shops also welcome new volunteers, particularly over summer when many of our regular volunteers are on holiday. No experience is necessary and volunteers can opt to work as little as four hours a week, on weekdays or weekends.

To enquire about becoming a volunteer, or to find the location of your nearest Red Cross Shop call 1800 811 700, email retail@redcross.org.au or go online to www.redcross.org.au/shops

You can also follow Red Cross Shops on Facebook.

“By the way” says Kate “If you’re looking to buy an unusual bath robe, rainbow socks, keep calm t-shirt, fluffy slippers, wallet chain, crazy pattern leggings or a cute alligator suit; check out your nearest Red Cross Shop.