Grove’s Day VIEW Club seeks members

THE Ocean Grove Day VIEW Club is seeking women who would like to make connections while making a difference.

VIEW (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) offers a network for women to connect in the community, to enjoy social activities and develop lasting friendships while supporting the work of The Smith Family, which providES long-term educational support for Australian children in need.

The Ocean Grove Day VIEW Club is part of a network of more than 300 clubs and 15,000 women throughout Australia.

Despite the challenges of last year, the club’s members were extremely creative when it came to staying connected while socially distancing, organising online fashion parades, face mask sewing bees, and Zoom social events, all to raise money for children experiencing disadvantage.

“These children were among the hardest hit during school shutdowns, as many didn’t have the right tools they needed to learn from home,” club president Annie Young said.

“It’s been so heartening to see our members’ passionate commitment to supporting better futures for young Australians in need.”

VIEW has been raising awareness and funds for The Smith Family for more than 60 years, and is the largest community sponsor of the charity’s Learning for Life sponsorship program.

“Joining our VIEW Club is the perfect opportunity to meet regularly with other like-minded women, establish new friendships and help to make life-changing differences to Australian children and their families,” Ms Young said.

As the new school year begins, The Smith Family is calling for people to sponsor 9,486 children who are experiencing disadvantage.

Children on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life sponsorship program are provided with wraparound support, which includes financial assistance for essential school supplies, access to out of school tutoring and mentoring programs, and a Smith Family partnership co-ordinator who is on hand to support the child’s specific needs.

Those who join the Ocean Grove Day VIEW Club – which hosts monthly lunch meetings for members on the second Wednesday of the month – will play a pivotal role in supporting The Smith Family’s work by fundraising to sponsor more children for the duration of their educational journey.

“We are always looking for women of all backgrounds and ages to join us and look forward to welcoming new faces at our next monthly meeting,” Ms Young said.

For more information, head to view.org.au.