Project spreads kindness with a purpose

GEELONG’S Give Where You Live Foundation has launched a new project aimed at sharing good news stories and useful information during the coronavirus pandemic.

Titled Geelong’s Purposeful Acts of Kindness (GPAK), the initiative is intended to provide community inspiration and support to Geelong and its surrounds.

On its website, GPAK states its vision is “one of ultimate community support – giving Geelong the support and inspiration that we all need a little more of right now”.

“It’s a both way of keeping us all connected and positive through stories of hope and help in our region and a method to stop the most vulnerable from slipping through the cracks.

“There’s an old saying that insists ‘a measure of the strength of the community is how it supports its most vulnerable’. Let’s ensure that by any measure the Geelong community is viewed in the brightest of lights.”

As well as “stories of kindness” – including a container of free books in Waurn Ponds and a very sizeable but welcome donation to the foundation – the GPAK website also has community services directory with options for support in four categories: food, financial counselling and services, accommodation and related services, and mental health support and counselling.

“Now is not the time to walk away from our values, it’s time to double down on them,” Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive officer Bill Mithen said.

“Let’s stick by each other and support those most in need.”

If you have new ideas, challenges or stories, send them to the foundation, who will share them through the GPAK social media accounts on Facebook (@GeelongPAK), Instagram (@GeelongPAK) and Twitter (@GeelongPAK).

Let them know what you’re doing via direct message on social media or by emailing [email protected]

For more information on GPAK, head to geelongpak.org.