Every day for the last 45 years, a group of volunteers comes to the workshop of the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group in Ingleside to repair and restore used toys that may still be of use for other children around the world.
Terry Cook, the current president of the Ingleside toy repair group, has been spending his free time at the workshop for more than 20 years. He said he still gets the same joy and satisfaction each time he completes a repair.
Mr Cook is proud of the fact that the toys repaired by their volunteers have been distributed at various community organisations, especially domestic violence shelters, in Australia and schools or churches in places like Zimbabwe or Cambodia. He said that nothing compares to the feeling of knowing that the toys restored back to life are comforting impoverished kids, children with disabilities, and those who need something to play with for their learning and entertainment.
The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group is not only helping charities and families but the volunteers are also reducing the number of waste that would otherwise fill up the landfills.
Donations of pre-loved toys from the public are welcome anytime and organisations who need toys for their children’s playgroups, for example, may request some of the repaired items.
The toy repair shop was the brainchild of Warringah Toy and Trophy Pty. Ltd. owner Don Jackson, who started out the seniors group with just four members. In 1998, the original workshop next to Narrabeen Sports High School burned down but the community raised money to rebuild the facilities at its present site.
Mr Cook, who was in construction, helped with the new building and has since become a regular volunteer.
Today, the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group needs more volunteers as heaps of toys can still be distributed to many communities.
For those interested, email terrycook@gotalk.net.au about volunteering.
