National Volunteer Week 2022
Volunteers are vital to all our services and programs. Our volunteers are passionate and caring and come with a wide range of skills.
They embrace the opportunities they have to pass on the love of God to those they serve, to each other and to us. They sort and lable, fill up shelves, answer phone calls, enter data and file documents, assist with bookkeeping and financial tasks, apply beauty treatments, teach basic lifeskills, prepare and serve food, sing and play musical instruments, engage with our clients and advocate on their behalf, care for those in need and less fortunate, carry out repairs and maintain the property, serve on the board, and much more.
This is what our team has to say about their volunteers:
CROSSROADS
Our Crossroads Volunteers are committed to serving people in our community who are differently able. Every Friday we have almost 50 Volunteers from different social and cultural backgrounds, women and men, young and old, who put aside their personal pursuits for the sake of others, so that people who attend Crossroads can have their ‘best day of the week’.
We couldn’t run such a unique program every Friday without these Volunteers who are self-sacrificing, kind, friendly and generous with their time. It’s such a great multifaceted group of people who experience a day of joy, friendship, fabulous food, dancing and worship.
THANK you all our Volunteers for being YOU.
PRINCESS FOR A DAY
Princess is a word that conjures up thoughts of caring and pampering. To be treated like a Princess is to be treated in a special way, a way that makes a girl or a woman feel that they are being spoiled and treated with kindness and consideration. We want them to feel welcomed and accepted, to feel unjudgmental, unconditional love.
And this is what the volunteers at Princess for a Day do. They commit to giving their love to others less fortunate than themselves during a morning of care and inclusiveness. It is a time where the “Angels” as we like to call them, recognise that for a short time at least, they can use the skills they have been blessed with, to pamper women going through all sorts of hardships and provide a little bit of education in matters of self-care, health, budgeting and more. They know how fortunate they are to be able to give, as Christ gave – and continues to give – to us.
CRISIS CARE
Our Crisis Care volunteers support individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet, are homeless or at the brink of being homeless. Having no choice than asking for assistance, can be a humiliating experience. Being the first point of contact at reception, our volunteers are empathetic and welcoming and provide a safe space for clients to share their needs and their story. They provide groceries, cooked meals, toiletries, street swags, access to clothes, toys and household goods at our Op Shop and referrals to internal services or external service providers.
Another team of volunteers is caring for local caravan park residents who are facing hardship, with regular visits during which they provide sausage sizzles, food, clothing, household items and companionship. Some of the amazing team members are self-funding this initiative.
We see clients being deeply touched by the non-judgmental assistance and care they receive. Our volunteers have a great capacity to deal with some of the saddest stories. It is no easy task. We are so grateful for your service.
CHRISTMAS PROJECT
In the months and weeks leading up to Christmas, preparations are underway in our “Christmas factory” where volunteers get busy with unpacking groceries, packing Christmas food hampers, selecting and wrapping gender appropriate toys and gifts and writing cards and labels. They want to make sure that those families and individuals in the community who are less fortunate and cannot afford a special meal and presents, can participate in the joy of Christmas. Our volunteers go out of their way to take on extra work during the busiest time of the year. They know how to spread the love of God and put a smile on the faces of young and old.
OP SHOP
Volunteers at the Op Shop are involved in sorting of donations, pricing items, customer service, registers and helping the community through food parcels when required.
We are so thankful for the sacrifice each of them makes to volunteer their time each week to help in the ministry of the Op Shop. It’s the various talents and experience of each volunteer, that makes it such a rewarding place to manage, and for our customers to enjoy their shopping experience.
The unity of the volunteers is a precious thing to enjoy and appreciate. Each volunteer impacts another, by forming strong relationships within the Op Shop, which then spreads into our community. Our clients are like family to us. It’s lovely to see children growing up in front of us, as we journey together with them and their parents, sharing their ups and downs. We’re also able to help the broader community, by donating linen, cleaning items, baby clothes, nappies and other items to various ministries.
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
Office volunteers provide support with reception, administrative and financial duties and assist with Crisis Care and compliance matters. They humbly work behind the scenes but their work does not go unnoticed. Their help is vital to ensure a smooth running of our services and they certainly help us to cope with the great amount of work that piles up every week. We are so blessed by their faithful support and diligent work, their generosity to give of their time and talent and their caring attitude as they serve others.