HELPERS STILL NEED A HAND
A NEW appeal is aiming to raise cash for vital volunteer services in our community.
Volunteering Geelong is urging locals to support the supporters and donate to the first Geelong Lend A Hand Appeal, aiming to raise $10,000 during June.
Chief executive Helen Hunter said that while interest in volunteering had surged in Geelong during the COVID-19 pandemic, extra funds were needed to cover costs associated with volunteer services.
“Volunteering Geelong signed on 75 new volunteers in April, more than double our average monthly number of new registrations,” Ms Hunter said.
“But it needs to be matched with dollars to ensure the valuable work of volunteers continues.”
City councillor Anthony Aitken, Volunteering Geelong’s president, encouraged those who could afford to donate to give.
“For example, our volunteers are responsible for picking up kids’ clothing packs from Geelong Mums’ warehouse and delivering them to maternal and child health centres so they can be passed on to parents in need,” Cr Aitken said.
“A donation of just $25 can cover the costs associated with a single day of deliveries by Volunteering Geelong volunteers for Geelong Mums.
“A $75 donation will help toward the costs of companionship sessions with elderly or disadvantaged persons.
“Volunteers travel around Geelong visiting people who would otherwise be isolated from companionship.”
You can donate to the Geelong Lend A Hand Appeal by visiting givenow.com.au/lenda-hand-appeal. All donations $2 and over are tax deductible.