Community called to Share the Dignity

SURF Coast volunteers are hopeful to exceed last year’s collection of more than 200 bags for the Share the Dignity campaign to provide essential items for women and girls fleeing domestic violence.

A collection box has been placed at Bunnings in Torquay North for the community to help out with the week-long drive that asks people to donate items such as shampoo and conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, sanitary items, deodorant and body wash.

Torquay resident Donna Symes is helping spearhead the local effort to gather the goods and said that despite the growing number of participating charities, organisations and business, many remain unaware of the campaign and why it is exists.

“The idea is to give a handbag to women and children who may not be receiving something at Christmas time… people don’t realise how widespread the need is,” she said.

Now in its eighth year, Share the Dignity founder and Managing Director Rochelle Courtenay said she hoped donations would increase after taking a hit over the past two years.

“Like many charities, we experienced a donation deficit due to COVID-19, having received 30,000 fewer bags on average in 2020-2021 compared to 2019,” she said.

“We’re now seeing the true impacts of the past few years, which sadly has meant that more vulnerable women and girls are looking for support than ever before.”

“We’re expecting to have more than 140,000 charity requests this year, and we’re hopeful that Australians will take this opportunity to give where they can, if they’re able to do so. That might be lovingly putting together a bag with a handwritten note, donating online, or volunteering your time.”

Ms Symes said she was heartened by local efforts to support the campaign, with the Salvation Army op shop in Torquay helping to supply bags and put aside donations that make up extra gifts, alongside the ladies auxiliary from St Luke’s church and staff from the Surf Coast Shire.

“Last year we collected 200 bags on the Surf Coast, so hopefully we can do as well, if not better again…because we didn’t have Shire involved last year,” she said.

The Share the Dignity campaign donation box at Bunnings is in place until November 27.

For more information, head to sharethedignity.org.au