A Barossa based charity that has donated about $3.5 million dollars to local charities and community organisations has celebrated its 25th birthday today (Sunday 6/10/24).

Community Helpers Inc which was formally established in 1999 was set up to help raise funds to assist Carers Link Inc to support its programs in the Barossa Region.

Initiated by Colin and Faye Hentschke, the venture started with a modest op shop and has grown in a big and vibrant charity that has provided support to 63 different community groups and causes in the Barossa area over the past 25 years.

What started because of chance discussion between Mr Gary Vogt a support worker with Carer’s Link and his (then) clients Colin and Faye, has resulted in over $2m being donated to Disability and Carers Inc, while the balance given to numerous other organisations.

The first Op Shop was opened in the Tanunda main street, which then grew quickly as the charity started to collect and distribute furniture, and when it was again bursting at the seams, it moved to a warehouse in Nuriootpa.

As the charity and the number of volunteers grew, the committee decided to employ a manager to operate the business on a daily basis.

Speaking at the birthday celebrations, Mr Vogt said that the stores were showing excellent profits in 2016 that the Committee decided it would need to move a larger location, so it decided to purchase some land in Nuriootpa.

“We saved money each year until we were able to purchase a block on Murray Street, Nuriootpa for $445,000 and then work commenced on designing a new warehouse,” said Mr Vogt.

A $412,000 grant from the Federal Government, and a $150,000 grant from the State Labor Government through its “Fund My Neighbourhood” program, and a $350,000 bank loan enabled the charity to build their new warehouse, costing $862,000.  

“The bank loan was repaid within 4 years,” said Mr Vogt.

Member for Light, Tony Piccolo said that the charity was a great service organisation and showed what the power of volunteers can achieve when there is a common goal.

“The volunteers have played such an important part in the success of Community Helpers Inc, and through their efforts they have indirectly improved the wellbeing of hundreds of carers and people living with a disability in the Barossa region,” said Mr Piccolo.

“The volunteers can rightly be proud of their endeavours and commitment to their community.”

At the birthday celebrations, volunteers were presented with their 5-, 10- and 15-year services certificates.