You've probably heard about the excellent community produced Handmade Help cookbook which was created by a bunch of amazing melbourne crafters to raise money for the Salvation Army in the wake of the 2009 February bushfires which was the worst in Victorian history, resulting in towns completed burnt to the ground, 173 deaths, many people left homeless and destruction of animals and their natural habitat. The amazing generousity of Australians in donating and volunteering was just amazing. I think volunteering is a bit part of Australian culture and something I've always been very proud of.
I bought a couple of copies with the intention of gifting them. However both intended recipients already have copies! And I don't need two extra copies as I am trying to declutter my life. So in the spirit of giving, if you'd like one, please let me know here with a little note about a time you've donated/given/volunteered (or would like to).
If you'd like to buy your own copy, you can do so here
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In the past before I fell very ill I used to put together shoe boxes for less fortunate children. In these shoe boxes were crayons, coloring books, card games, toothbrush, toothpaste, and anything else that would put a smile on a small childs face. I used to donate them to my local church to give to families with children when they visited the food pantry.
Hopefully, once my health improves I can start doing charity work again. I would like to volunteer at a battered Woman's Shelter or create my own charity for Cats. Or maybe I can start my own food pantry for Vegans someday.
Back when I was still in my home country, I used to volunteer a lot of my time in old folks home, orphanages and the local diabetes center.
Used to do a lot of fundraising for the local breast cancer research center as well!
Now that I've moved countries.. I haven't really been able to do as much charity work. To make up for it, I try to donate more.
When I get my own house again, I'd like to start a charity shelter for cats and dogs. Not other animals as I have no experience dealing with them, but having lived with cats and dogs for more than half my life now, I feel confident that I'll be able to do that.
Hi! Very generous of you :o)
I donate some of my Etsy profits towards Kiva loans (kiva.org), I sponsor a World Vision child from Peru, donated some jewellery for the bush fire appeal, donate blood regularly and at Christmas time give towards the Wishing Tree and Operation Christmas Child (shoebox)
Happy New Year to You xo
In France there is an association which collects "yellow coins" (used to be the 10, 20 and so on francs cents, now it's the 1, 2 and 5 euro cents) but all coins are ok, even the larger ones. I usually don't use cash but whenever I have to use a bill and I have change I put it in a coin holder and then I bring it back to my parents' back in France. They then give my coin holder to one of their friends' kids to bring in to school and put it in their school's collection box for the association. In the end it's probably not more than 30 or 40 euros per year but I've been doing it for quite some time, I think it's always nice to see associations that help children out.
And then there is an association that is really close to my heart but now it has disappeared, it's La Bande à Lilian. I first learned about it through the AS Monaco website and over the years they tried so hard raising money in creative ways to help out sick children that it was just fabulous. I always made sure to give whatever I could to help them out. Alas the association no longer exists, it's such a shame though, those people were real and they were so friendly and tried helping out close to their home (and therefore close to my home) that it felt special in a way.
Here in Bendigo we also lost a few houses to the bush fires, so i donated dinner/supermarket vouchers, blankets, toys and other items for those in need.
I also voluntarily ran a little English class for the kids on my compound when i worked in China. They all came from different levels which was hard, but made it more fun!
I am a member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association, and have helped new mothers learn how to breastfeed their babies. It is such a great feeling to see a mother who just needs a few pointers sucessfully feeding their newborn baby. Wonderful to see that baby drunk with milk and sleeping peacefully at their mothers breast. Nothing more rewarding than helping someone on their breastfeeding journey. The ABA is such a giving organisation that is committed to helping new mothers find their feet, and I have had some rewarding moments with them.
When I wasn't working I volunteered at Collingwood College as part of the Kitchen Garden program. Nothing gave me as much satisfaction as seeing 7 year olds standing on stools chopping and cooking and then eating together and talking about food. These kids were so knowledgeable about ingredients and willingly ate vegetarian food and unusual ingredients with no complaints.
Jetsetting Joyce
When the bushfires broke out last year, I was still driving buses. A lot of us (state wide actually) volunteered our time outside of regular work hours to bus people to and from the affected sites - residents to safer parts of the state and emergency crews into the affected areas.
Oh, so lovely to see all these generous souls. Aren't you kind to donate a book to a do gooder??!!
As an army wife & mother of 4 primary schoolers, i do lots of volunteering with school (canteen, readers, car pooling, art & craft). I'm so proud to say a couple of army wives i filled a Salvation Truck full of excellent (i'm talking FABULOUS towels, new sheets, stationery . . .) preloved & new goods to the bush fire victims.
Not after the book, just showing Canberra cares too. It was 42C that Saturday & we had a Handmade Market on, so lots of stall holders donated cash too.
So as school term resumes, it brings new army wife support initiatives, P&C & canteen duties, in my spare time of parenting & running 2 businesses. Love January, it's when i recharge . . .
Good luck chosing a worthy winner. Love Posie
I donate at least 2 times a year to Goodwill and Salvation by giving them books and clothing that are not needed in my home. Sometimes I do buy stuff on sale to give to the shelters nearby.
shopgurl101@gmail.com
I volunteered at The Sacred
Heart Mission in St Kilda for 3 years before moving down to Tas.
It was one of the best periods in my life. The Mission feeds hundreds EVERY single day of the year. They also provide information, services and support for the unemployed, homeless, substance abusers, street workers and ANYONE who needs a hand. I worked at the main reception desk and it was full-on all day long, but I met so many fantastic people - those I worked with who shared my life philosophies and those seeking our assistance - interesting, fascinating, funny, tough, sad, lonely, brilliant, depressed, incredible individuals.
It really locked in the fact that we are all human beings just trying to survivr on this planet and it is so much easier if we all keep an eye out for each other.
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