A monkey made a moment, but Janet makes them everyday
As we near the end of National Volunteer Week our final volunteer spotlight is on Janet, who volunteers at our Willetton store! Her day recently included a soft toy monkey, a crying child and a simple act of kindness that, for her, was just another moment of making a small difference.
Because showing up with heart isn’t the exception for Janet. It’s who she is, every single day.
Meet Janet
Janet has always believed that volunteering is about more than giving time, it’s about giving heart. For her, it means creating connection, sharing kindness, and making every person feel welcome.
Since joining Good Sammy in 2016 at the Booragoon store and later moving to Willetton she has become a familiar and much‑loved presence in the community.
Before volunteering, Janet worked in aged care across payroll and billing, later running her own business in Onslow. Retirement was meant to slow her down, but instead it opened the door to something more meaningful.
After facing some health challenges, she stepped back from work and stepped into a new sense of purpose: volunteering at Good Sammy in Willetton. Today, she gives a few hours of her time each day, six days a week, a rhythm that brings her joy, structure and connection.
Janet affectionately calls herself the store’s self‑appointed “customer relations officer,” and she lives that title with genuine warmth.
She knows regular customers by first name citing; “Xavier”, “Dominic”, “Keith”, “Kevin”, “Alex”, “Nicola,” ‘Pat,” and “Jillian,” greeting each person with the kind of familiarity that makes the store feel like a neighbourhood hub.
Her favourite place to be is the children’s clothing and toy section, where she helps families find something special and creates moments of delight for little ones.
Last week, she noticed a young child crying in a pram while his mother was looking at some clothing. Janet quietly slipped away to the toy section. She returned with a soft plush monkey, placed it gently in the child’s hands and watched his tears transform into happiness. Then, without a word, she bought the toy herself and gifted it to him.
As Janet recalls,
The monkey made the little one smile, and that made my day too. His mother was so grateful for soothing her child.”
It was a simple gesture, and just one of many. A single moment in a long pattern of kindness that defines who Janet is.
Declan, the Store Manager at Willetton, says Janet has helped create a warm and welcoming environment through her personal interactions with customers. He often describes her as the heartbeat of the store, adding,
Janet brings an energy and charisma that you simply can’t replicate. The store wouldn’t be the same without her; we’d be lost without the warmth she brings every single day.”
Her impact extends far beyond customer service. Janet is deeply committed to inclusion and takes pride in supporting her colleagues with disability to feel confident, valued and at ease. She believes everyone deserves to shine, and she brings that belief to life through every interaction with customers, teammates and the wider community.
For Janet, volunteering brings purpose and connection. For everyone around her, she is a reminder that even the smallest gestures can leave a lasting imprint. This National Volunteer Week, her story is a celebration of what volunteering can be – impactful and uplifting.
If Janet’s story shows anything, it’s that small acts can create lasting change. Your presence matters. Your kindness matters. And your contribution could mean more than you realise.
Join Good Sammy as a volunteer today and help create moments that make a difference – just like Janet.
