Op Shop Adventures with Active In-Betweens & Salvation Army.

Thanks to the generous support of the Salvation Army stores in Wollongong and Warilla, children involved in the Active In-Betweens program enjoyed engaging and meaningful Op Shop outings in the lead-up to Christmas. This valued partnership supported children to build community connection, practice generosity, and learn about sustainability, while enhancing wellbeing through real-world learning and positive social experiences.

The outings were filled with excitement, with children enthusiastically sharing who they planned to buy gifts for. Many spoke thoughtfully about choosing something special for parents, siblings, or friends, while others selected accessories and clothing for themselves and each other in preparation for upcoming Year 6 formals. These moments highlighted strong empathy, care, and pride, as children celebrated both their relationships and important milestones.

At the Salvation Army Op Shops, children were warmly welcomed and demonstrated respectful, polite behavior toward staff and other shoppers. Each child was provided with a $10 budget, encouraging practical life skills such as budgeting, basic math’s, problem-solving, and independent decision-making. Children carefully read price tags, calculated spending, and supported one another to stay within budget. Some siblings pooled their money to purchase larger gifts, while others generously shared leftover change to help peers complete their purchases.

Children learned that meaningful gifts do not need to be new or expensive, gaining appreciation for pre-loved items and the importance of reducing waste. They returned proud, excited, and eager to give their gifts to loved ones, with the experience strengthening social connections, building confidence, and reinforcing the joy of giving.

A heartfelt thank you is extended to the Salvation Army teams—especially Michael, Leanne, and Alison—for their patience, kindness, and warm welcome. Special thanks also to Matt for organising donations of school supplies, which will support children as they return to school this year!