Busy Bellarine charity offers so much more than coats

A HANDFUL of volunteers on the Bellarine are helping support locals in need, such as women fleeing domestic violence, homeless men and babies left on doorsteps.

One Coat is a charity based in Indented Head that collects good quality donations of clothing, bedding, small household items and toys, and then redisperses them.

Deb Kerr’s house is presently full of bags containing donations – her lounge room stores clothes for a men’s shelter, along with household goods she is collecting for a family, while her spare room and cupboard is packed with summer clothes for the warmer months and Christmas presents in readiness for the end of December.

Deb’s daughter Chelsea founded One Coat in 2016, when the charity only received donations of coats and beanies, but since Deb has taken over, she has discovered there was need elsewhere.

“We are currently collecting for a woman escaping domestic violence, a man living in his car, a family in need, and we also help with donations for babies who get dropped off on the doorstep of their aunties, uncles or grandparents with nothing,” Deb said.

“We get contacted and we do what we can, we can’t always get everything they need, but we try.”

Deb said One Coat worked with the Lions Club in Norlane, Homestart in Whittington, Lazarus Men’s Shelter and Kinship Carers Victoria, and relied on word of mouth to determine who needed the donations the most.

“It’s busy all year round… I could work seven days a week if I could.”

Deb said she and some of her volunteers would also buy clothes to donate when stores such as Kmart were having a big sale.

“Someone nominated us at the Portarlington Bowling Club so they gave us $1,500, so I plan to buy some socks and underwear for the men’s shelter, because that’s something we can’t give second-hand, and what is left over we’ll use for Christmas gifts.”

Deb said sometimes she felt overwhelmed by how busy the charity was, especially when her house was full of bags and she needed to clean, but that helping the less fortunate was a rewarding experience.

“Some of these people are your average joes, too, not everyone is in need due to homelessness or drugs, it may be a couple who has lost their jobs due to COVID.

“There is nowhere else for these people to go either… so while we can still do it, we will.”

Donations can be dropped at 7 Waterhouse Court, Indented Head. If you know anyone who needs help, get them to phone 0432 774 445.