Celebrating National Volunteer Week
This week, we celebrate the incredible volunteers who are the heart and soul of Good Sammy. Every hour given by our volunteers helps us create stronger, more inclusive communities.
Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing stories from our volunteers. Today, we’re proud to share Steff’s story. A journey of confidence, connection and new possibilities, and a beautiful reminder of the life-changing impact volunteering can have.
Thinking about volunteering? We have positions available in our retail stores, warehouse, Containers for Change operations and administrative team. We welcome volunteers of all ages, from 15 years and up. Find out more or apply to volunteer at Good Sammy!
Meet Stephanie
What begins as volunteering can sometimes become something much bigger.
For Stephanie, it has been a pathway to confidence, connection and new possibilities. This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate her journey at Good Sammy Fremantle, and the powerful impact volunteering can have in opening doors.
For four years, Stephanie, known to many as ‘Steff’, has been a familiar and much-loved presence at the Good Sammy Fremantle store. She first began volunteering while she was still in high school and, after graduating, continued to show up with remarkable commitment, giving her time five days a week.
During National Volunteer Week, her story is a powerful reminder that volunteering is not only about helping others, but also about discovering confidence, purpose and belonging.
Ask Steff what she loves about volunteering and her answer is immediate: the people. She speaks warmly about the team around her, describing them as kind, funny and welcoming. That sense of joy shines through in the way she works, sometimes even dancing along to the music in store to keep customers smiling and to bring a little extra brightness to the day.
For Steff, who is autistic, volunteering has become far more than a routine. It is a place where she feels included, valued and connected. She enjoys meeting new people, seeing her workmates each day and being part of a team that makes her feel she truly belongs.
There is also the thrill of unexpected discoveries – those little treasures that turn an ordinary shift into a memorable one. A self-confessed K-pop enthusiast, Steff delights in spotting items that connect with her interests and hobbies. One recent highlight was coming across the iCarly book series while sorting books – exactly the kind of small, joyful moment that makes op shop volunteering so unique.
She loves organising and sorting, especially in the book section, but her skills and enthusiasm extend across the store. From pricing and displaying hats, artwork and handbags, to helping with changerooms and returning clothing to the racks, Steff brings care and attention to every task she takes on.
Part of what makes the Fremantle store special for Steff is it’s fun, eclectic creative spirit. It is a place where personality is welcomed, customers often arrive in colourful outfits, and team members are encouraged to express themselves. Inspired by that atmosphere, Steff often embraces ‘Friday free dress’ with her own sense of style, adding even more character to a store already full of heart.
She is also quick to acknowledge the people make her days brighter. One of her favourite parts is starting each shift with an excitable greeting by manager Charmaine, whose humour and warmth help set the tone for the day. Alongside colleague and friend, Daisy, and the rest of the team, that everyday encouragement has helped make volunteering a genuinely positive and rewarding experience.
As Steff’s manager Charmaine explains,
Every volunteer’s contribution matters. By giving a few hours or many hours, the impact is significant, not only for the organisation, but for the volunteers themselves. Through volunteering people often build social connection, friendships, confidence and practical skills, while becoming part of something bigger than themselves. And Steff is a wonderful example of this.”
Steff’s journey is an example of growth. Over time, she has developed confidence, competence and a strong sense of purpose. Supported by a patient and understanding team, she has flourished in the workplace and continues to build skills and gain training that are opening new doors for her future.
Today, after four years of dedicated volunteering, Steff is proudly looking ahead to an open employment opportunity at Good Sammy Fremantle. It is a milestone worth celebrating, not only because of how far she has come, but because it shows what can happen when people are given the chance to contribute, grow and be seen for their strengths.
