In the 18months from when we started in 2016, we were able to:
- raise over $5,000 which enabled us to make donations to Bonnie Support Services, the Marnja Jarndu refuge in Broome, and a refuge in Lithgow
- make 2 shipments of clothes to the Marnja Jarndu refuge and donate clothes, bedding and household goods to the refuge in Lithgow
- put some of the funds we raised towards a large display stand for Marnja Jarndu to use at community events to raise awareness of their services, and for a microwave oven for the refuge in Lithgow
- support the Marnja Jarndu refuge to secure a grant of $10,000 for a water fountain and new playground at the refuge.
Bonnie Support Services
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Our first donations (totalling $1,600) were to Bonnie Support Services which you can read about here www.bonnie.org.au/home/.
Bonnie's provides support to women and children who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or escaping domestic violence. Bonnie's has no religious affiliations and 100% of the donations received goes to help the women and children. The administration costs of the organisation are funded by government and other subsidies. |
The money we raised during the January 2017 school holidays was used by Bonnie's towards the holiday programmes they ran for the children who they support. This included trips to the movies and activities that make a difference to the children during the break.
Bonnie's advised that our donations after the holidays were used to help women and children with their school expenses as they start the new school year. Once the back-to-school needs passed, Bonnie's said that our donations were used to support the therapy and budgeting workshops that they run for the women.
Bonnie's advised that our donations after the holidays were used to help women and children with their school expenses as they start the new school year. Once the back-to-school needs passed, Bonnie's said that our donations were used to support the therapy and budgeting workshops that they run for the women.
Lithgow refuge
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In addition to donating money to the refuge in Lithgow, we were able to raise funds for a microwave oven and also collect items that the refuge let us know they needed to help women set up new homes.
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Marnja Jarndu Refuge, Broome
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In April, 2017, we made a donation of $500 to the Marnja Jarndu Refuge in Broome, Western Australia. Marnja Jarndu often has women and children coming to the refuge from 1,200km away and they also offer outreach services.
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In total, we made donations to the refuge totalling $2,440.
Other support
In mid-April 2017, we made a request through our Facebook group, ToGatherings, for donations of clothes and personal items to send to Marnja Jarndu. The response we had was overwhelming and we received many, many wonderful clothes and other items.
In June 2017, 21 large boxes were collected by StarTrack for shipment to Marnja Jarndu. DHL and StarTrack made a wonderful contribution by shipping the boxes for free.
Marnja Jarndu said that they were overwhelmed by the amount of clothes which they were able to distribute everything within 3 days and can always find people who desperately need the clothing and other items.
The refuge was very appreciative and sent a thank you note, saying, "I have not had the chance to sort through everything as yet, but I have no doubt that everything you guys brought down will help some of our vulnerable clients immensely.".
Marnja Jarndu said that they were overwhelmed by the amount of clothes which they were able to distribute everything within 3 days and can always find people who desperately need the clothing and other items.
The refuge was very appreciative and sent a thank you note, saying, "I have not had the chance to sort through everything as yet, but I have no doubt that everything you guys brought down will help some of our vulnerable clients immensely.".
About 6 months later, through another wonderful response in our ToGatherings group, we were able to make another huge donation of clothes to Marnja Jarndu, again, shipped for free by DHL and StarTrack.
Thank you to those who have supported us and continue to support us
