It takes a Village – especially in times like these.

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Hi Our Villager,

The cost-of-living crisis.

We’ve been hearing those words for so long now, it almost feels like the new normal.

The truth is, we’ve been lurching from crisis to crisis for several years – international events like COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have made products scarce and prices soar.

Meanwhile, disasters like floods and fires here in Australia have devastated local communities.

And now, the uncertainty around fuel is bringing a whole new sense of anxiety.

Yes! I will be the Village for children in need. [[link removed]]

Wave after wave of crises have hit families hard, and we’re seeing the impact in our warehouse every single day. Families across Victoria are being stretched beyond their limits. But for those who were already struggling, it’s more than they can face.

Rent, power bills, groceries and petrol are all getting more expensive. Something has to give, and too often it’s the essentials children rely on to thrive – warm clothes, a new pair of shoes, a pram or cot for a baby that’s on the way.

It’s devastating to think that a newborn baby in Victoria may not have a safe place to sleep or warm clothes to get them through winter.

But , while these crises are out of our hands, YOU can make sure they don’t impact children.

Your tax-time gift of [[link removed]] $59 [[link removed]] can make sure babies and children don't miss out on the essentials they deserve. [[link removed]]

The families we’re supporting are facing so many challenges – not just the ones we see on the news each night. Family violence, sickness, injury or losing a job can push a family into hardship. Coupled with rising prices, they have no choice but to go without.

Our Village is here to make sure that families in this situation know they’re not alone; that there is a Village of kind-hearted people like you nearby, , who are ready to help.

Debra, one of the social workers that works alongside Our Village, recently told us about the impact you are making through Our Village.

She’s working with Chloe*, a young expectant mum who’s excited about welcoming her first baby. Last year, Chloe was living with her parents, three siblings and her partner, but it wasn’t a safe home – her dad was violent and they were always living in fear. He was incarcerated last year, and while that means that the fear and violence has subsided, so has the family’s income – he was the primary breadwinner.

With Chloe’s mum unable to pay the mortgage, they’ve been forced to sell their house.

And now, with the baby due in just a few weeks, Debra could see that Chloe was not going to be able to provide everything her little one needed to thrive.

“Every pay cheque, she buys something for the baby like a packet of wipes or anything else she could afford. But they really haven't been able to get much prepared,” Debra says.

Help give essential items to babies and children that are going without. [[link removed]]

She told Chloe about Our Village, and the help that was available for her.

“We went through the list of essentials that we could order, and she had none of them. I put an order in, and the beautiful quality of everything she received … a Bugaboo pram, bags of the most beautiful clothes all folded with care and love, a car seat and change mat … all these things she would never have been able to manage on her income.”

That’s the support that you can offer, , by making a gift to Our Village. [[link removed]]

Debra fondly recalls the day she delivered the order to Chloe.

“She just stood there, looking at all these things and both she and her mum were crying. She told me she couldn’t even express how it felt to be able to welcome her baby into the world with such lovely things.”

Becoming a parent is a huge event in anyone’s life, but it can also be intense. Many parents feel overwhelmed by the extra responsibility of childcare on top of existing worries about work, bills and creating a space for their children to thrive.

We know that when parents are feeling stressed about work, money or relationships, they struggle to form crucial, lifelong bonds with their new baby. Having a village of caring people like you , to provide the essentials, relieves worried parents of this stress and allows them to do what truly matters: love, celebrate and enjoy their child.

Your tax-time gift of [[link removed]] $59 [[link removed]] , [[link removed]] $59 [[link removed]] or a very generous [[link removed]] $201 [[link removed]] , can help make sure babies and children have clothes, a safe place to sleep and won't miss out on the essentials they deserve. [[link removed]]

Debra has seen this impact time and time again.

“I would’ve supported hundreds of families with Our Village over my career. And each one has had the same reaction when I've picked things up and delivered them to their home: one of absolute joy, happy tears, and gratitude."

Gift a clothing bundle, a pram or a cot today, and help children thrive. [[link removed]]

There are thousands of babies and children going without right now. This winter, I hope you’ll join us in making a real difference in their lives. Please donate today, to help provide essential items so desperately needed.

The cost-of-living crisis may be out of our hands, but we can stop it from impacting babies and children.

Every dollar you can donate sends a message of love and care to a family who is struggling to get by and helps a baby or child to thrive.

Thank you so much for being part of Our Village.

Ruth Holdaway MBE

CEO, Our Village

P.S. We really do need your support to help make sure children don't pay the price of the rising cost of living. Please make a tax deductible donation today. [[link removed]]

It takes a Village – especially in times like these.

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