Gold Coast volunteer finds her match at Vinnies

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland is marking Nationwide Volunteer Week from Monday, 18 to Sunday, 24 Could 2026.

The Society is sharing volunteer tales from throughout Queensland, together with Donna O’Donnell from Vinnies Burleigh Waters.

This 12 months’s theme, Your Yr to Volunteer, honours present volunteers.

It additionally invitations Australians to see how giving time can construct connection, which means and neighborhood profit.

Donna, 69, is a retired chef who moved to the Gold Coast 5 years in the past.

She is now in her fourth 12 months volunteering with Vinnies.

For Donna, the choice has introduced friendship, routine and a powerful connection to area people life.

Volunteers assist make Vinnies’ work attainable throughout Queensland.

Their time helps the Society’s mission of giving susceptible individuals a hand up.

That helps attain individuals going through hardship, whereas additionally constructing connections for volunteers themselves.

“To me, volunteering is a way of objective. I actually skip into Vinnies on my Wednesday’s, I simply so get pleasure from it,” Donna stated.

“I’m the Shoe Woman, or Cinderella, as they name me. I get all of the sneakers in, clear them, value them and prepare them, by color, in fact. Everybody simply is aware of it’s Donna’s job, and I like it.”

• 2,689 Members help Vinnies Queensland, serving to the Society attain individuals going through hardship throughout the state.

• 5,051 volunteers give their time in Queensland, supporting Vinnies retailers, companies and area people work.

• Donna has volunteered for 4 years, after transferring to the Gold Coast 5 years in the past.

Donna’s story reveals how volunteering can construct robust native ties on the Gold Coast.

She has additionally inspired her husband to hitch Vinnies.

Now, the couple is a part of a wider neighborhood constructed round service, friendship and sensible assist.

“It’s not nearly serving to others; it’s the friendships you kind,” Donna stated.

“I’ve met a few of the most unbelievable ladies by way of Vinnies, one simply turned 79, and I do know one other girl who’s 93 down in Tugun and nonetheless volunteers. In ten years, I hope to be precisely like them.”

Donna stated volunteering can swimsuit totally different abilities, schedules and levels of life.

As a skilled prepare dinner, she has additionally used her abilities at homeless shelters.

“I’m a prepare dinner by commerce and I’ve used that to volunteer at homeless shelters too. No matter your ability is, there’s a approach to make use of it to assist another person,” she stated.

She stated individuals may also help in several elements of a Vinnies store.

“Whether or not you’re out the entrance assembly clients or out the again sorting, and belief me, there’s at all times a celebration on the again, there’s a spot for everybody at Vinnies.”

“It really works round your life. It doesn’t should be a full shift. Even when you give a few hours, that feeling that you’re a part of a neighborhood that’s serving to different individuals, that’s sufficient.”

Volunteering can also be being recognised globally in 2026 by way of the United Nations Worldwide Yr of Volunteers.

That recognition comes as nationwide information reveals formal volunteering has declined in recent times.

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland State President Trish McMahon stated Nationwide Volunteer Week was a time to thank volunteers.

“Our Members and Volunteers give one thing extremely treasured, their time,” she stated.

“Whether or not it’s a couple of hours every week or a few years of service, that generosity makes an actual distinction to individuals experiencing hardship and we’re deeply grateful for the compassion, respect and love our volunteers present our Companions day by day.”

Vinnies is looking for extra volunteers at Ashmore, Nerang and the brand new Pimpama retailer.

The brand-new Pimpama retailer is ready to open on Friday, 23 Could 2026.

These typically volunteering can go to HERE

Retail volunteering alternatives are additionally listed at volunteerwithvinnies.com.au.