A community-focused customer service champion
Continuing our National Volunteer Week series, today we are shining a spotlight on Elizabeth who volunteers at our Belmont store.
Elizabeth embodies what rewarding volunteering looks like, showing up with warmth, reliability, and genuine care. For nearly five years, she’s been a cherished part of Good Sammy, forming friendships, greeting familiar customers by name and creating a welcoming space for everyone who walks through the door.
Meet Elizabeth
For nearly five years, Elizabeth has been a treasured member of Good Sammy’s Belmont, bringing warmth, dedication and genuine care to every shift.
After stepping away to look after her elderly mother, she soon realised how much she missed volunteering, the sense of purpose it gave her, the friendships she had formed, and the familiar customers she had come to know by name.
Elizabeth describes herself as hardworking and committed, qualities that have shaped her life. She began her career on a factory assembly line making two‑hundred‑litre fuel and oil drum containers, before seeking work closer to home as the physical demands grew too heavy.
Volunteering opened a new door. A place where her natural gift for conversation could shine, where her time and talents were valued, and where she could continue making an impactful contribution to her community.
At Good Sammy Belmont, Elizabeth says she feels accepted, supported, and never judged. A proud and busy grandmother, she still makes time to give back and, in return, has found friendship, purpose, and a strong sense of belonging.
For her, volunteering is about more than helping in the store it is about offering her time, care, and kindness to others, often through heartfelt conversation and takes great pride in ensuring every customer feels welcome, supported, and seen.
I have customers who are partially blind, and I help them find the clothes and items they need,” Elizabeth shared. “They know me and they know I will always help them.”
Her manager sees this same dedication every day, sharing,
Without Elizabeth, some of our customers would be lost. She brings so much energy and warmth to our store.”
It is this reliability, compassion, and respect for every individual that leaves such a lasting impression. Elizabeth understands that sometimes the simplest acts of kindness can mean the most. She treasures her conversations with customers, knowing that even a brief, friendly exchange can brighten someone’s day and remind them that they matter.
As she gently reminds us
You might be the first person they have spoken to in a long while.”
That belief sits at the heart of her volunteering, helping people feel seen, heard, and welcome.
Whether she is tidying the store, sorting shoes and clothing, or serving behind the counter, Elizabeth brings confidence, efficiency, and heart to everything she does. She has also spoken openly about earlier struggles with reading and writing, which makes it even more significant to be part of a team where she feels included, safe, and supported.
This National Volunteer Week, Good Sammy celebrates Elizabeth with deep gratitude, for the care she gives so freely, the community spirit she brings to the Belmont Store, and the reminder she offers us all: volunteering is, above all, about people.
Her story shows that volunteering is not only a way to give back, but also a way to find connection, purpose, and belonging. For anyone considering becoming a volunteer, Elizabeth’s experience is a heartfelt reminder that offering your time, kindness, and presence can change someone’s day and enrich your own life in lasting and powerful ways.
If you’re thinking about volunteering, we’d love to welcome you. Your presence matters, your kindness matters, and you can make a difference in ways you might not even realise. Become a volunteer with Good Sammy.
Volunteer Work Perth | Volunteering Opportunities Perth – Good Sammy
