The Charity Shop phenomenon

The Happy Paws Charity Shop is the newest charity shop recently opened in San Gwann. The charity shop has taken off through the initiative of two foreigners, Maike Beekman from Holland and Tom Broome of Sweden.

"The idea is to raise cash to help people who help animals," explained Mrs Beekman candidly as we talked over the shop counter. Apart from running the charity shop, the Happy Paws Charity Organisation is helping people by collecting tinned food through a supermarket scheme, whereby people are asked to pay for an extra tin of dog or cat food. These extra tins go to various voluntary feeders who tend stray animals all over the island.

"So far we've been able to collect and distribute some 4,000 tins with the collaboration of over 30 supermarkets in Malta." But the Charity Shop's main intent is aiming at a nation-wide stray neutering exercise which would eventually reduce the amount of stray dogs and cats on the roads.

The organisation supports various charities, namely Noah's Ark, Island Sanctuary and AAA, to name a few.

Maike Beekman arrived in Malta way back in 1981 with her airline pilot husband. Over the years she got to know and appreciate Malta and finally the couple retired here. Tom Broome landed in Malta in 1991 and loved it so much that he decided to stay. Both are highly involved in the charity work which was set up only last June.

The Charity has some 15 volunteers working on schedule but enthusiasm was high from day one. More importantly, the volunteers are all extremely enthusiastic and most have found a new lease of life through the shop. "We have several retired people who come to help and we've even had a young girl who was looking for a job and decided to take this up as a way of acquiring valuable experience which would serve her well once she does land a job. Donations come in regularly. Once word got around that we had this project in mind, and before we had even launched the shop, we found ourselves with two garages crammed full of stuff. Here at the shop we sell all the usual charity shop features such as household items, clothing, books, stationery, toys and more."

"We only accept good stuff and go for quality rather than quantity," Mrs Beekman added. "Everything we have for sale is clean and in perfect order. People don't want to buy shabby stuff. Presently we are looking to start stocking children's uniforms before the late summer rush to purchase school stuff begins. Also we want to provide school books as these can be quite expensive when purchased in mint form.

Having said this, I must admit that we never know what's going to be in the shop beforehand and the stock is constantly changing. Moreover I must say the kindness and generosity of the Maltese people is unbelievable. We have had to rent storage space and have two volunteers working continuously to sort all the stuff that is donated."

This organisation is managing to reach most of its targets successfully. With the average cost of neutering an animal between Lm10 and Lm15, Happy Paws has already donated some Lm1,300 to various vets to carry out the operation on strays.

For those who have never delighted in charity shop shopping, it is important to point out that this is a place where one can snap up bargains galore while helping a worthy cause. 'Chazzing', as charity shopping is known, has taken European cities by storm and has become a modern pastime. The fun thing about these shops is that one never knows what is in store, literally discovering trans-seasonal items all the year round. Moreover you might be lucky enough to spot a staggering bargain which is being sold for a few cents, and nobody will ever believe you actually got it off a charity shop shelf.

In 1997, I had written about the very first charity shop experience in Malta. Situated in Cottonera, it was run by two Englishwomen from Yorkshire, who were in Malta on an evangelical mission. Their aim had been to raise money for Maltese charities and other worthy causes. Unfortunately they had to leave Malta to follow their mission elsewhere.

So whoever missed out on that experience and has never tried chazzing, should pop over to this new addition within the shopping sceneat San Gwann. As Maike Beekman laughingly says, "This is a win-win situation where both the customers and the animals are all the happier!"

Déjà vu is the name of the upcoming fashion show and fund-raising evening being organised by the Happy Paws Charity Organisation on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. at the Marsa Sports Club. Attractions include live music, and an auction featuring a bridal gown, a Laura Ashley evening gown and fine costume jewellery. Finger foods will be offered and there will be dancing in the Palm Grove. Tickets are available from the Marsa Sports Club or from the Happy Paws Charity Shop, 9 Mensija Street, San Gwann. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3.30 to 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.