A new home for charity card shop

SPREADING Christmas cheer and support for 20 community organisations, the Ballarat Combined Charities Christmas Card Shop has moved.

Reopening this Monday, 30 September, the shop has relocated St John’s Lutheran Church Hall, 204a Doveton Street South, after 15 years on Eyre Street.

Selling commercially printed and handmade Christmas cards, and some for any occasion, the shop also stocks unique quality gifts like Christmas decorations, tea cosies, origami boxes, patchwork bags, bookmarks, calendars, padded coat hangers and plants.

Their tea towels and aprons are popular, selling more than 450 Australian designed tea towels last year.

Coordinator, Denise Boyko said parking and disability access is easier at the new location, where 50 volunteers from the region will work.

Most importantly, she hopes people will continue to support the charities they fund, including Anglicare, The Soup Bus, The Royal Flying Doctors, Webbcona CWA, and new beneficiary, BRICC.

“Ninety-four per cent of our profit goes back to charity, we just keep six per cent for power and rent,” she said. “If you want to give something special to a special person, a handmade card is ideal and there’s thought behind it when you choose carefully to suit the person.

“Get in early because we do run out.”

In October, the shop will open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Visit facebook.com/CharityChristmasCardShop for further hours as Christmas approaches.

Ballarat Health Services will host a Pop-Up Combined Charities Christmas Card Shop from November.  Find it from Monday 4 November to Friday 13 December, 10am to 3pm in their main foyer off Drummond Street.