CHARITABLE ACTS HELP FURNISH WIN
A GOLD Coast not-forprofit has been recognised as one of Australia’s top charities after providing more than 700 fully furnished homes to women and families seeking to escape domestic violence.
RizeUp was named the 2019 Community Organisation of the Year at the Volunteering Services Australia annual Gold Coast awards.
More than 250 people volunteer for the organisation from Northern NSW to Mackay.
Each week they provide women and families a completely furnished home – complete with kitchen appliances, furniture, bedding, groceries and cleaning products.
RizeUp CEO and founder Nicolle Edwards established the organisation in 2015 and was thrilled to receive the award, thanking her hundreds of volunteers and those who donate.
“It’s so great to be recognised for the award because it gives us more attention and shows people who we are and what we do,” she said.
“We are helping to help women and families move to a life free of violence. We are helping these families with care, respect and dignity. We provide hope.”
Lorraine Harvey has been organising and sorting donations from the public for the past two years after she donated furniture herself.
She spends her days working fulltime in several of the small storage sheds around the Gold Coast.
“We have 22 little sheds from Miami to Oxley to Aspley,” she said.
“When our male volunteers leave they load the truck for one or two homes.
“They have to stop at Ormeau to get the beds and then to Aspley to get the lounge.
“We are really hoping we will be able to move into one big storage shed.
“It would make it so much easier to have it all in one place. ”
To donate, volunteer or get in contact with the organisation, visit their Facebook page RizeUpAustralia.