There were fears the Cards for Good Causes shop at Haslemere Educational Museum would be unable to open as planned on Tuesday after essential deliveries failed to arrive until the previous Friday.
But thanks to a determined team of volunteers, the shop was ready with a day to spare.
The volunteers worked tirelessly to unpack deliveries, sort and price cards and put up signs, ensuring the official opening went ahead without a hitch.
Maggie Monteath, who has run the shop with her husband Bob for 15 years, said she was touched by the generosity of those who stepped in to help.
She said: “I sent out an email to the volunteers on Friday, expecting that the opening on Tuesday would not go ahead.
“So it was great to see volunteers answer the call and get stuck in to get the shop on its feet in time for the opening.
“Many of our volunteers work full-time as well, so it’s lovely to see that there are people in the community who care so much about the shop and the role it plays for our residents, particularly our older ones.”
Maggie said the shop had become much more than somewhere to buy Christmas cards.
“The volunteers are the lifeblood of the shop and are the main reason why we’ve stayed open after all these years,” she said.
“It is their willingness to give up their time each week that makes our shop not just a shop but a place of community, somewhere you can chat and make friends.”
Haslemere town mayor Cllr Jaquie Keen officially opened the shop and was impressed by the display.
The Cards for Good Causes shop raises money for more than 50 charities.
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