The shop in the Wesley Church on Yarra St has been opening each Christmas for 36 years to provide local charities with a place to sell Christmas cards and raise much-needed money.

This year, 25 local charities have cards for sale, including United Way Geelong, Karingal, YMCA, Gateways, Cottage by the Sea, The Sanctuary and Geelong Y's Menettes.

Last year, almost 70,000 cards were sold in the shop's 10 weeks of trading, raising more than $40,000 for the charities involved.

The shop also sells wrapping paper, calendars, christmas decorations and small gifts.

The shop is open from 9am to 4pm from Monday to Friday and from 9.30am to noon on Saturday, until Friday December 14.

GOOD TIDINGS: United Way volunteer Amanda Foster with some cards at the Geelong Combined Charities Card Shop.