Our Village needs corporate helpers for Christmas

OUR Village is calling for businesses and companies to get into the Christmas spirit this year and sign up for volunteer shifts to help at the charity’s Geelong warehouse.

Our Village – formerly known as St Kilda Mums, Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums – provides vital services by rehoming essential items for babies and children in need across Victoria.

With the continuing rise in the cost of living, demand is higher than ever as families struggle, including even those who have never before experienced financial pressure.

In the past 12 months, there has been 600 more requests for assistance than the previous 12 months.

Christmas is the busiest time of the year, so extra helpers are needed to meet the challenge.

Victorian businesses, from SMBs to large corporates, can help by giving their time to assist in fixing and cleaning essential items such as prams, car seats and high chairs, sorting and packing clothes, toys and books or preparing special toiletry packs for carers and babies, or by giving a financial donation. Our Village describes its volunteering program as “the ultimate team-building experience with a huge feel-good factor” and suggests businesses could consider it as an alternate festive season celebration or activity.

Our Village chief executive officer Ruth Holdaway said the charity needed many more corporate volunteer groups to help this Christmas.

“We are calling for businesses and companies to sign up and come and help out in our warehouse.

“Christmas is one of our busiest times of the year and we are asking for our own ‘Santa’s helpers’ to assist us in getting pre-loved items received from the generous community ready for distribution to families who need them most. “We are hoping that we can fill all of our corporate volunteering shifts until Christmas so vulnerable Victorian babies and children can have the essentials they need.”

Businesses taking part in volunteering pay $100 (plus GST) per person, with a minimum spend of $1,000 (plus GST) per workplace.

This charge covers the cost of trained staff to guide them through the day to help them get the most out of the volunteering experience, and anything additional goes towards rehoming essentials.

Our Village does not receive any government funding and relies on the community to continue supporting babies and children in need.

The Geelong warehouse can accommodate teams of up to 16 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

For more information, head to ourvillage.org.au/volunteer