She's one of hundreds of volunteers who raise millions of dollars for the state's public hospitals.
Calling volunteering "something of an addiction", Veronica Dooley of Lawson has been manning the Katoomba Hospital auxiliary shop on Mondays for more than four years, after working as a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul in Lawson for 12 years and also helping out in the last decade with the Springwood-based Lantern Club to raise money for the deaf and blind.
This month she was honoured for her efforts when she was named the 2014 Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District volunteer community spirit award recipient.
"It was such a surprise to be nominated," she said of the honour which was bestowed on December 1.
"I was nominated as a finalist locally [for the hospital] back in winter by one of the staff, but I wasn't thinking anything would come of it."
As Mrs Dooley has never driven, "she does all her good works travelling by public transport," one hospital staffer told the Gazette.
Mrs Dooley spent her working life in retail and wasn't ready to retire, so volunteering for the Blue Mountains Hospital Auxiliary was a good way to keep patients company, chat to staff and visitors, and still keep her mind active.
"Being in retail it keeps your mind active still dealing with money. And if you enjoy what you are doing, that's half the pleasure."
She catches a bus from her home to man the store "and goes in snow, hail or rain" said the shop co-ordinator, Paula Savage.
Last year the auxillary raised $25,000 for the hospital. In earlier years funds raised have gone towards hospital beds and vital machinery.
When she's not busy helping customers or listening to those "who need a shoulder", she fills her day knitting squares for the Red Cross.
"I can't understand why people wouldn't want to volunteer. I see people who turn on the TV in the morning and are still there at 11 at night. I would find that so boring."
"How can people be lonely? We [Paula and I] think 'join something, get involved'. You feel so good about it," she said.
The auxillary is always looking for help with their quilt show and other activities. For details, phone 4759 1993.