Share the Dignity seeks donations for Christmas appeal

NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisation Share the Dignity has this week launched its annual Christmas appeal and is calling on the community to come together to support vulnerable women and girls across the region.

Now in its 10th year, the charity’s It’s in the Bag campaign encourages locals to put together a bag filled with essential toiletries, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant and period products.

These bags can be dropped off at dedicated collection points located at the front of every Bunnings store across Australia and will be distributed to women and girls facing homelessness, domestic violence or poverty.

Donations can be dropped off until Sunday, December 1.

 

 

Donna Symes, who has been coordinating the charity’s Torquay effort for the past five years, is hoping the local community will once again get behind the initiative to support those across the region doing it tough this Christmas.

Last year, the number of donations delivered to Torquay Bunnings reached 225 bags, a figure Ms Symes is eager to see surpassed this year.

She encouraged those who are able, to include a special gift in their donation, such as perfume, jewellery, make-up or even a beanie, along with a personal note.

“If you look on YouTube, there’s quite a few stories of women that have received the bag and they’ve said how much it meant to them that they were having a terrible time…but they knew somebody out there cared and that there are good people in the world,” Ms Symes said.

Each of the bags donated to the appeal will stay in the region, directly supporting the women and girls in the community most in need of help.

Those unable to donate a full bag are invited to donate the individual items they can to the appeal, and these will be combined together to form complete donations.

 

 

Ms Symes thanked the several local community groups, including the volunteers at St Luke’s Op Shop, the Salvation Army, the Spring Creek Probus Club and the St Therese Catholic Church, who had already jumped at the opportunity to contribute.

Share the Dignity founder and managing director Rochelle Courtenay said over the last 10 years, the charity has helped ensure almost one million women and girls who are waking up on Christmas morning in domestic violence refuges and homeless shelters have the dignity they deserve.

“For many, an It’s in the Bag was the only gift they received, and it gave them hope to keep going.

“I know times are tough for so many, but if you can, I urge you to put an It’s in the Bag together or to get together with your bestie and pack one together.

“You never know who in your life many be impacted, so please, help someone in need this Christmas.”

Those who are short on time but still interested in contributing to the campaign can also purchase a virtual bag through the Bunnings website.

For more information, including a complete list of donation collection points across the region, head to sharethedignity.org.au