The Bargain Box is in a celebratory mood this week.

After 27 years of providing shoppers with a wide variety of second hand goods at rock bottom prices, the Serpentine Road facility has just passed the $1 million mark in earnings for the Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children.

Delighted Committee chairman Ray Latter says: "Over the last few years the Bargain Box has been making over $80,000 a year, which is incredible when you think it is all from people who have given goods away.

"Of course, a lot depends on the volunteers who have to sort, display and sell the donated goods.'' As a big `thank you' to all of its regular customers and voluntary staff, the Committee is hosting a gala fashion show and tea.

Volunteers will model clothing right off the thrift shop racks, including a traditional wedding dress, and the Governor's wife, Mrs. Masefield, will be in attendance.

The Bargain Box has been a steady earner for the Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children, a registered charity, since its inception in 1975. Its modest prices for a wide variety of second hand goods have meant the creation of a regular clientele, some of whom are third generation shoppers.

Like all charitable organisations, however, the success of the Bargain Box is due in large part to the countless hours its volunteers give to make it a success -- people like 90-year-old Mrs. Mary Godet, a former medical lab technician who eagerly looks forward to her weekly stint at Serpentine Road.

"I enjoy it. It is nice to get out and see people,'' she says.

Then there are sisters Ruth Perinchief and Hilda Woolf, whom Mrs. Bea Stott says she couldn't do without. They turn up four days a week, and their volunteer day begins between 7.30 a.m. and 8 a.m. when they arrive, separately, to clean the shop, sort through the bags of donated goods, hang up the clothing, stock the shelves, and generally do whatever else is needed.

If that seems a lot of responsibility, the sisters beg to differ.

"Once you get used to it it comes easy, we don't think about it,'' Mrs.

Perinchief says. "You've got to make the place look good.'' Like the other volunteers, the duo also feel that they are part of a close-knit family.

"Everybody is just together here. We have our laughs and it all goes well,'' Mrs. Woolf says. "And we just love Penny (Committee secretary and cases chairman, Mrs. Powell) and Mrs. Stott. In fact, I call Mrs. Stott often and talk to her.'' Mrs. Mary Manders is one of the longest-serving volunteers, and has been a Bargain Box regular for 17 years.

She originally got involved through a friend who, when she suggested she was going to look for a job, said, "No, I've got a lot of work for you to do at the Bargain Box.'' So Mrs. Manders went along to an AGM, where she was warmly welcomed, and has been devoted to the cause ever since.

"I enjoy being involved, and we have a lot of nice repeat customers,'' she says. "I work behind the counter and am second in charge to Bea.'' John Mongey is the lone male volunteer. The retired engineer is a man who likes to keep busy, and that fits nicely with the Bargain Box's needs.

He became a volunteer two years ago, and while he willingly pitches in wherever help is required, he is also the resident "Mr. Fixit'' who checks out donated electrical goods to see if they work, and effects minor repairs where possible.

Mr. Mongey, who will be 72 his next birthday, happily donates three full days a week to this charity work, and says it is both fulfilling and rewarding.

"I've got all the time in the world, apart from my gardening, and the fact that I am the only male volunteer doesn't bother me one bit,'' he says. "If you have the time and energy why not volunteer? I don't want to get old.

Besides, they're a good bunch of people at the Bargain Box, and the main thing is, it is for a good cause.'' When it comes to clothing, Mr. Mongey has also become something of a trusted "advisor'' to many of the customers, both male and female.

"I chat them up and say, `You look nice in that'. It's all good fun, and they generally buy. The personal touch gives the customers a bit of encouragement.

Even the guys ask for my opinion.'' Like Mr. Mongey, Mrs. Marjorie Duxbury wanted something to do after she retired. Being related to Mrs. Stott via their respective children's marriage, she duly promised that she would join the Bargain Box.

Ten years later she still looks forward to Friday afternoons selling and working behind the counter.

"I really enjoy it,'' she says. "Everyone is so friendly, and you get to know the regular customers.'' Well-known keep fit instructor Mrs. Vicki Jensen is another volunteer who loves her job and just couldn't stay away. For many years she volunteered every Saturday at the Bargain Box, and also chaired the tag day committee.

After a break of some years and heart surgery, she recently returned to the Board.

"It is such a good cause,'' she says. "I have always had an interest in handicapped children because, as a child in England, I went to a school for the handicapped so I feel I know them.'' At 18, Cathie Hay is the youngest volunteer. Recently voted Most Outstanding Teen, the Saltus senior graduate year student has been with the Bargain Box for six years.

"My mom and my sister were already volunteers and I wanted to get involved in something, so I thought it would be worthwhile to come in on Saturday afternoons with them,'' she says. "It's great. The people you meet are incredible.

"They are from all walks of life, and I find it really interesting talking to them. A lot of them come for books, and since I love reading and there are all types of books available, some with obscure titles, it is fun to talk to the customers about books.'' Cathie will be going to university in September, but hopes to continue volunteering during vacations.

Mrs. Marie Picard, a police constable in real life, serves on the board of the charity and also handles its media relations.

She became acquainted with the Committee of 25, as it is commonly known, when she approached them for assistance in connection with her son Christian, who has cerebral palsy.

"They helped me without hesitation, and this is my way of contributing what I can to the Committee.

"They have been really, really wonderful. The more I learn, the more fascinated I become, which makes me feel even better about what I am doing,'' she says. "I have been with them for about four years, and Christian is also a member.

"I am working toward having him come to the Bargain Box and spend time helping out because I would like him to become more socially conscious and learn about volunteering.'' And then there is the `grand dame' of the Bargain Box herself: chairman Mrs.

Stott, whose founded the thrift shop in the mid-1970s.

Over the years she has seen it go from being housed in a disused US military hut, which she bought for a few dollars, to the present modern, two-storey structure, which opened in 1985.

Mrs. Stott, who has also been chairman of the Committee's fund-raising committee since 1959, is particularly proud of her volunteers' track record.

"I am not blowing our own horn, but I don't think there are any more dedicated people than we have at the Bargain Box,'' she says.

"With very few exceptions, they have all been with us since the very beginning.'' As for her own role -- she goes in every afternoon -- Mrs. Stott says: "I really enjoy it. It is a lot of work, but everybody pulls together and that makes it easier. I like the friendliness best of all.''