Every year for the past eight years, Frida Dobson has been gathering up donated household items from around the Hawke’s Bay for a massive fundraising sale. The proceeds all go to World Vision.
In the past, Mrs Dobson’s fundraising sales have made about $10,000 for the aid and development organisation. This year’s sale has been particularly successful, and the total is already near on $21,000.
Frida and David Dobson have been volunteering for World Vision for more than 13 years.
“We have so much stuff to sell, we’ve run out of room. We have things piled up waiting to be sold,” Mrs Dobson says.
An empty shop in Hastings has been the venue for the sale for many years. Mrs Dobson says people donate everything from books and clothes to fridges, dishwashers, furniture and artwork.
“We generally get a good price for things, because people know the money is going to a good cause. And our costs are very low, so almost all of it goes to World Vision. We are not charged any rent for the shop, but we do pay the power bill. There is no labour cost because the shop is run by volunteers, who give up half a day here and there to help.”
Mrs Dobson doesn’t drive, but manages to collect donations from around the Hawke’s Bay, with the help of her husband David. The couple have been volunteering for World Vision for more than 13 years. They run World Vision stalls in local malls, help out at World Vision concerts and events and are the regional 40 Hour Famine representatives.
“I started by sponsoring a child and was invited along to a World Vision volunteer meeting. Eighteen months later I was the local volunteer co-ordinator,” says Mrs Dobson.
“In the early years I covered just the Hastings area, but lately I’ve been covering Napier as well.”
World Vision Volunteer Coordinator Alison Ross says Mrs Dobson is absolutely amazing.
“The Dobsons are really lovely people and hard-working – their contribution to World Vision is so valuable and so appreciated. We nominated Mrs Dobson for volunteer of the year this year. ”
Mrs Dobson’s shop is on Queen Street, Hastings, opposite Farmers. It is open every day between 9am-5pm.
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