Chris Buckingham to sleep out on Thursday
Tax deductibility status granted to Warragul pregnancy and early parenting resource centre in May is hoped to give a strong kick start to its fund-raising for the rest of the year and next year. The status is back dated to June 16 last year. President and co-founder of Olivia’s Place five years ago Kirsten Finger said a major initiative was an appeal for 500 businesses or people to commit to donating $20 a month or $200 a year for three years to provide guaranteed funds of $100,000 a year that would make current operations sustainable and improve the ability to meet growing demand.
It would also remove the uncertainty regarding continuation of services.
Ms Finger said that already this month three local services clubs have got behind the appeal with donations.
Warragul Inner Wheel has donated $250, the Lions club of Warragul $500, Drouin Rotary $1000 and Warragul Rotary $2000. This financial year Olivia’s Place has provided material aid, mentoring and education to more than 90 families.
Last year the organisation was successful in receiving grants from the Andrews Foundation ($10,000), Trinity Families ($20,000) and the Department of Social Services ($5000) but the money has now been expended, Ms Finger said.
She said previously donated and raised funds were being relied on to continue services until the end of this year and applications would be made for further grants and there would be continued annual fundraising events.
However, she said further financial support was required to confirm the service’s availability next year.
People interested in making a one-off donation or regular financial contribution should visit www.givenow.com.au/oliviasplace.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible
Ellinbank resident Chris Buckingham will don a beanie for the sixth time at the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout event on Thursday.
Mr Buckingham is passionate about what he sees as the “invisible faces of homelessness”. “As chief executive officer of Casey Cardinia Libraries, I am reminded every day of the challenges faced by people in our community who are grappling with unemployment, mortgage stress and homelessness,” he said.
“Libraries play important role in supporting people with warm and safe places during the day. We also provide people with vital access to free information and support services.
“It’s hard to imagine when you walk the streets of Melbourne, but the majority of people experiencing homelessness are not sleeping on bluestone pavements, they are women and children - couch surfing, sleeping in the backs of cars and often as not escaping family violence.”
The no-frills night out will include sleeping rough on a piece of cardboard in the city. Participants will be served soup from the Vinnies Soup Van and hear real life experiences from Vinnies volunteers and people they assist.
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria chief executive officer Sue Cattermole said the event was designed to take people out of their comfort zone to focus on practical solutions for alleviating homelessness and poverty within their community.
For Mr Buckingham, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout provides an opportunity to encourage discussion and debate about the causes of homelessness and poverty.
Locals are encouraged to support Mr Buckingham in his effort to reach his target of $5000 by making a donation and rallying behind him as he braves the cold.
The event collectively raises more than $6.5 million across the country every year, which is used to support vital services for people experiencing homelessness, including crisis accommodation, food vouchers, soup vans, rent assistance, referral services and more.