If you want to make a real difference to the lives of people less fortunate, then participating in Vinnies Doorknock is the way to go.
The Vinnies Doorknock appeal is held each February to raise much-needed funds for people in need in the Canberra region. During the 2013 Doorknock Appeal, the Society is hoping to raise $360,000.
By offering up just 1 1/2 to 2 hours of your time, at a time to suit you, in February you can raise a significant amount of funds to help our cause. We know there are many generous Canberrans but we need the people to reach their doors.
You can select a suburb to suit you – though we encourage you to particpate in a suburb where you live or close by. You need to be at least 16 years of age to participate and if you’re under 18 we encourage you to go in pairs. If you’re 18 years of age or older you can do it by yourself.
Monies raised through the appeal help fund a range of services provided by Vinnies to assist us in giving a “hand up” to those in need within our community.
This is my last post as Volunteer Development & Coordination Officer of St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra Goulburn because I’m moving onto another job in December.
Without a doubt the most pleasurable part of it has been meeting the many wonderful people who have come forward to volunteer. The Society is such a wonderful organisation doing many great things to help those in need. The contribution of people like you makes all these things possible.
Although I won’t be continuing as an employee of the Society, I will be doing so as a conference member. I look forward to joining you as a volunteer to continue the good works of the Society.
We welcome Anchal Goel as our new Compeer Program Officer. Compeer is a program to support people living with a diagnosed mental illness.
Anchal completed her Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Australian National University in July, 2012. She is a Homoeopathic Physician by profession with one year experience of working in a Hospital Set-up with various kinds of training in different departments. She worked in a Hair and Scalp Clinic as a Doctor/Counsellor for about 6 months. During this internship, she was involved with a research project on Psychiatry and Autism for one year where she was also involved in volunteer work with a Special School for Autistic Children for one year. During her Master’s Degree, she obtained the experience of working in a Pharmacy in Canberra for more than one year.
Compeer is a Special Work of St Vincent De Paul Society based on the POWER OF FRIENDSHIP. It matches people with a diagnosed mental illness and in their recovery phase with a caring volunteer on a one-to-one basis. The program requires volunteers to make a commitment of minimum 4 hours for a period of 12 months. The aim is to provide support, hope, and confidence, improve social participation of those affected and isolated by a mental illness. It is a great program which benefits not only the friends (Clients) but also the volunteers. We provide the volunteers with specific training, support and participation in events throughout their volunteering experience with us.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer with Compeer or finding out more about the program, please email Anchal on Anchal.Goel@svdp-cg.org.au.
Volunteering ACT and the Office of Regulatory Services is pleased to inform you that we will be hosting “Volunteer Registration Days” for the working with vulnerable people checks. The “Volunteer Registration Days” will provide an opportunity for you to register for the working with vulnerable people checks. Continue reading →
Christmas is a time that everyone thinks of gift giving. The following article talks about the benefits of meaningful experiences as being of more benefit that objects. Of particular interest is the value of volunteering.
Whilst many people want to volunteer at Christmas time*, the greatest gift to our clients and benefit to St Vincent de Paul Society (and indeed any other charity) is for people to register as volunteers at anytime of the year and to help out whenever possible to address the needs at hand.
Meaningful Experiences Make You Happier Than “Stuff” | Mindfulness Muse“You cannot help but learn more as you take the world into your hands. Take it up reverently, for it is an old piece of clay, with millions of thumbprints on it.” – John Updike Do you remember all (or any) of the presents that you unwrapped at Christmas five years ago?
* St Vincent de Paul Society does not conduct large public lunches at Christmas time (people often ring us to ask). We have shelters for the homeless and Christmas lunches provided within them are assisted by our regular volunteers. The only type of Christmas-specific activities that people can help us with is are gift wrapping, giving tables, giving trees or corporate fundraising within your workplace. If you wish to help with any of these, please compelete the Register Your Interest form and put in the Further Comments field ‘gift wrapping’; ‘giving tables’; ‘giving tree’ or ‘fundraising’. Someone will then get in touch with you to let you know what to do next. You will not have to do a Society Introduction to participate in these activities.
Everybody loves a bargain – and who best to let shoppers know what little gems we have than our Vinnies Centres’ volunteers? The story below shares the delights of volunteering in our stores.
Op shoppers share the thrillsThe dingy op shops of the past are long gone, replaced by brightly lit retail centres frequented by collectors and others who enjoy the thrill of the chase. CATHERINE WATSON reports. Pictures by LUCY DI PAOLO.
Vinnies clothing showcased at Nightfest fashion show.
Melissa Models outfit from local Vinnies Store Leighton Hutchinson Photography
St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn presented a professionally styled and designed fashion show at the Look ‘n’ Learn marquee at Floriade during Nightfest on Saturday the 29 of September. The concept for the fashion show was simple; Gerard Wilton a freelance fashion stylist who has worked with some of the Australia’s greatest talents has joined forces with Vinnies. Gerard has had unrestricted access to the behind the scenes at our Vinnies Stores and has come up with a fashion line completely compiled of up cycled garments.
The fashion show at Floriade is a perfect example of the numerous different ways that people can volunteer their time and get involved in Vinnies. Some of the volunteering roles that featured at the fashion show included modelling, DJ-ing, hair styling, make-up artistry and of course fashion styling.
On the night, fifteen models volunteered their time and showcased 37 looks put together by Gerard, with music from the Strangeway DJ’s. Continue reading →
Vinnies and Yellow Van volunteers with Yummi, The Yellow Van mascot at Floriade.
Without a doubt, one of the most fantastic outcomes of our Floriade experience as been the wonderful marriage of interest we’ve had with our partner in the Charities’ Marquee, The Yellow Van. Not only have we supported each other in talking about what we do, but our volunteers have worked really well together. In addition, many connections have been made and stories shared. This photo was taken on one of the busiest days at Floriade with over 35,000 visitors passing through the gates. It’s only been through the team work of our volunteers that we’ve managed the volume of people passing through our marquee so well.
L-R Charlotte, Llewellyn, Nick & Nicola having fun in the Vinnies photo booth at Floriade.
Thanks to the support of Vinnies Youth through Merici & Marist Colleges, we’ve been blessed with the support of some wonderful volunteers here in the Charities Marquee at Floriade. As the weekend brightened up with wide, blue, sunny skies after the rain over the past two days, these volunteers got into the Floriade spirit by dressing up and posing in our photo booth.
Over 150 volunteers from all walks of life have stepped up to assist us over the entire period of Floriade. We’ve had everyone from youth, corporate teams and long-standing Vincentians rostering on to help out. And for many, it isn’t just one occasion they’re helping out. The Merici & Marist youth are volunteering every Sunday morning of Floriade, whilst youth from St Clare’s College are volunteering every Sunday afternoon. Continue reading →
Would you like to particpate in a volunteer survey being conducted by a student at the Royal Melbourne Institue of Technology (RMIT) and be in the running to win a gift voucher reward? If so, read on. Below is a letter, by the survey author, Claire Bolge, inviting you to participate. Continue reading →
