Cambridge’s Jumble Around op-shop is distributing a record $200,000 to 106 non-profit organisations and clubs in the community.
Jumble Around president Marianne Jarvie, right, and Robyn Maxwell, geared up for a record funding round.
The funds were raised at the Leamington-based outlet which is manned entirely by volunteers.
Jumble Around president Marianne Jarvie said last week: “We feel very proud to have achieved this… and we’re especially grateful to the 40 volunteers who keep our shop ticking over. One hundred percent of our profits go back into our community, plus a few regional groups that include Cambridge.
“Some of our larger recipients this year were Cambridge Community House, the Cambridge Menzshed, Cambridge St John, Interlock Trust, Kiwi Outreach, Riding for the Disabled … we also support schools, clubs, kindergartens support groups, and many more.”
Jumble Around started in 1968 in the old Leamington Hall, set up initially to help support the construction of Cambridge Resthaven. Once that was built, it was decided the venture should continue to raise funds for wider community benefit. As Cambridge’s population and need have both grown, so Jumble Around has risen to the occasion, returning well over $1 million to the community.
Jumble Around stalwarts Mary Waters, left, and Marianne Jarvie, outside the Shakespeare St outlet.
“Many organisations and smaller groups can continue to operate because of our grants,” said Jarvie. “In turn, many of the donations we receive come from people who have benefited from our grants.”
The Cambridge Menzshed applied to the Jumble Around funding round for the first time this year and received $12,000. Their membership is restoring a former dairy factory on the corner of Lamb and Carlyle streets, readying it for use as a well-equipped community Menzshed.
Menzshed committee member Barry Harding was delighted with the windfall, and said the group was extremely grateful for the grant.
“It will help tremendously,” he said. “The community has been wonderful in the support it is giving to us.”
Long term recipients of Jumble Around funding, Cambridge Community House, also signalled their appreciation at the op-shop last week – they received $15,000 this year.
General manager Gabby Byrne said Jumble Around’s support, not only in terms of funding but also in kind when meeting whānau needs, was invaluable.
“Jumble Around recognise that we operate with limited government funding to meet community needs that continue to grow,” Byrne said. “We rely heavily on community support, and Jumble Around is a huge supporter of ours, particularly on the whānau support aspect. We are very grateful.”
Another sizeable chunk this year went to the Philips Search & Rescue Trust. They received $18,000.
“That is for all of us,” said Jarvie. “None of us knows when we might need their services.”
Jumble Around president Marianne Jarvie, second from right, with CCH general manager Gabby Byrne, Menzshed ‘dogsbody’ Barry Harding with his wife Dot, and Jumble Around volunteer Jane Bell. Photo: Viv Posselt
