DESPITE the pandemic, the past 12 months was the best money-raising period for Horsham's Craft for Cause.
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From October 2020 to October 2021, the little craft shop on McLachlan Street raised more than $11,000.
Founder Jan Morris said it's thanks to a few modern changes.
"We shut down every time we had to shut down but opened up the minute we could," she said.
"It was our best year. We've changed a few things."
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With the introduction of updates at the store, people are shopping even more.
"Andrea Cross said we needed Facebook," she said.
"I said to her, tell me what do I need help with. She said the Facebook page. She took it over, and it changed the whole thing. Younger people shopping, younger people supplying and EFTPOS went in.
"We make as much on EFTPOS on a day than cash. It's very big - it's what's done it."
Ms Morris explained how the small shop, stuffed with jams, treats, plants, knitted goods and more, raised so much money for the community.
"We have approximately 100 suppliers, they bring in an article, and we sell on behalf of them," she said.
"25 per cent (of sold items) goes to the cause. We donate out the money in the district."
Ms Morris said ideas for causes come from the volunteers.
"$4,900 went to the cancer centre, for hospice and palliative care," she said.
"Money goes to the food centre, about March we make a donation.
"Donations are made all through year."
Thanks to Lizzy Johns, the Men's Shed has recently started to sell items in the shop.
But Ms Morris said they couldn't fit the more oversized items so people could order via the shop.
"I'd ordering a bird feeder," she said.
There are 40 volunteers at the moment, including Jan Janetzki and Jenny Green.
Ms Janketzki said she loved meeting so many new people since starting with the shop five years ago.
"I love meeting the customers and working with different volunteers," she said.
"I love to see customers happy."
While Ms Green retired and decided to use her newly found free time to volunteer by joining the business a year ago.
"It was time that I found some other things to do," she said.
The two work well together, which Mrs Morris said she loved to hear as she specifically pairs up volunteers who work well together and have fun.
"It's important to have the right two work together," she said.
"Anyone that's a lovely person who is in Horsham (can volunteer)."
The most popular items in the craft store are foods, plants and flowers. All three women agreed, but there is a personal item that cannot be found anywhere else; school art smocks.
"We're one of the only places to sell art smocks," Ms Green said.
Craft for a Cause is open 10am to 4pm on weekdays, and 10am-12pm on Saturday.
The shop will close from Thursday, December 23, to Monday, January 10, for a break.
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