1,139

Hi

1,139. 
 
That’s the number of babies and children on our waitlist across Victoria who need help before Christmas.

259 of those are here in the Geelong area. 

25 of them do not have a safe cot and mattress to sleep in.

Shocking, isn’t it?
 
Please can I ask for your help today to get that number down to zero before 25 December?
 
One of the babies on the list is due next week. His mum escaped a violent relationship, fleeing to her parents' home. When they found out she was having a baby, they kicked her out. She has been couch surfing since 20 weeks.

She’s found a place to live just in time for the arrival of her baby boy. All this mum wants to do is set up a safe place for him. But she’s struggling to buy food and pay the electricity bill, let alone buy nursery equipment, new or second-hand. She needs “the whole kit and caboodle” - a cot, pram, car seat, bath, bouncer, clothes and linen.
 
I’m worried for this Mum and her unborn son. I just can’t live with the thought of a baby not sleeping safely when there is more than enough to go around. 
 
And I’m worried for the other families on our waitlist.
 
You can help these families right now by making a donation. With $187, we can buy a cot and mattress, because we’re already short of the stock we need for the families on our waitlist. 
 
Every single dollar counts right now. Your donation will be used to support the families on our waitlist as soon as next week.

We have the support of hundreds of volunteers who come in day in, day out to make sure the items we provide to families are given safely and with love.

We receive donations of nursery equipment from generous people who believe in giving at-risk families what they need and paying it forward. We’re so grateful.
 
But I need to be totally real with you.
 
It costs money, significant money to provide our service to more than 6,000 families in Geelong each year. Between $80,000 and $85,000 every month. 
 
They’re just normal, unavoidable costs and we do everything we can to keep them as low as we can. 
 
We have to pay for a roof over our heads, for water and power. 
 
We need to cover the cost of our small paid team who are critical in coordinating our service and ensuring every piece of equipment that goes out is safe and looks brand new.
 
And sadly, at this time of year, we will most definitely have to purchase nursery equipment as the need from families grows larger everyday as we edge towards 25 December.
 
Christmas without a safe cot for their baby to sleep in, let alone toys and gifts, is the reality for most of the families on our waitlist right now. 
 
So today, I need to ask if you can make a generous donation to help support them. With your help, we can ensure we get that waitlist number down to zero before Christmas Day.

Best wishes

Julia Roache
General Manager
0417 032 825
[email protected]

PS If you can help families beyond Christmas and far into the future, then please sign up to make a monthly donation and be part of our special Give to Grow community.
 
PPS We exhaust all avenues when it comes to asking for financial support, including grants and corporate support. I’m asking for your help today because we still have so much more cost to cover. 
 
PPPS Don’t forget to leave a message of support for a family when you donate. We will make sure it’s written on a card and given out with an item before Christmas. It may be the only card they receive this year and I know it will make them feel special. 

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