Newsletter
August 2022

Dear 

Welcome to our winter newsletter - and what a winter it has been.  Hasn’t it been cold!  I’ve been feeling right at home with my big warm UK winter coat! On those really bitterly cold days I’m reminded of how critical our work is. Just imagine not having a cot for your baby to sleep in, or a coat to keep your child warm on their journey to school.  For most of us it’s unimaginable, and yet this is a reality for many of the people we support.  So whether you are a social or health worker providing us with that critical link to babies and children in need, a volunteer who is sorting, cleaning and packing the items we send out or a financial donor enabling us to employ the staff and pay the bills that make all of this possible - THANK YOU!

Mid-Winter is a moment of celebration - the days are getting longer, and for Geelong Mums we cross the threshold from one financial year to the next.  I’m delighted to share our headline results with you.

Over the last 12 months, across our three branches, we rehomed 67,677 items with a total value of $7,399,148 going to 19,425 babies and children.  Of the 67,677 items rehomed, 20,532 were via Geelong Mums, an incredible 30% of the total, which supported 6,366 babies and children.  Bearing in mind we continued to bounce in and out of lockdown last year, had extensive periods of closure to volunteers and the significant impact COVID had on staff and volunteer availability, this is a result we are really proud of - and we couldn’t have done it without you - THANK YOU!

Financially it was a tough year.  Whilst some campaigns, like our annual Giving Day, did well, we were not immune to the Pandemic crunch! We rely on a range of funding sources and some have been hit hard by the uncertainty COVID has created.  To all of you who did donate last year, your donation means so much to us.  You have stuck with us through these tough times and we are so grateful - THANK YOU!

As winter slowly melts away I am headed back to the UK for a bit of summer sun.  Whilst there I will be visiting two UK organisations that provide a similar service to Geelong Mums: Little Village and Stripey Stork - I really look forward to sharing my learnings with you on my return in early September.

Take Care everyone - keep warm and THANK YOU for everything you do to help us Share more, Waste less and see Every child thrive.

Warm Regards,

Ruth Holdaway MBE
Chief Executive Officer

Providing Opportunity to Thrive

Last year, a young mum found herself homeless, and her children were placed into foster care. Recently, after receiving help and getting back on her feet, it was time for the family to begin reunification. The ability to provide materially as a parent was considered an essential component in this instance. Starting from scratch, the young mum needed a cot, car seats, clothing, shoes, linen and toiletries. Thankfully, we provided these items and more. She was even able to save our bundles of toys and books for birthday presents. Not only was this support an important milestone in being reunited as a family, it allowed for the children to feel safe, supported, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Stats for the 2021/22 Financial Year

During this time, across all three branches of St Kilda Mums Inc., we re-homed a staggering 67,662 items which equate to 212 TONNES saved from landfilled. That 215,000 kgs’ is equivalent to 1791 baby elephants (or 2263 Chris Hemsworths)!

A Spotlight on Volunteering

Geelong Mums has long prided itself on the flexible, impactful and fun volunteering opportunities we provide. Friendships are formed, morning teas are plentiful and there is always something new to learn!

Our volunteers do many things - from sorting and packing clothing, linen, toiletries, toys and books to tinkering on cots, prams and car seats. We hold fortnightly inductions, provide full training and would absolutely love to have you join us! Right now, we're specifically looking for:

Pram Tinker - if you love mending bicycles you can put your skills to good use here, tinkering on donated prams. A keen eye and knowledge of how things work is helpful, full training is provided. 

Workplace Volunteering

We are so excited to have welcomed corporate groups back into our warehouses this year. We offer a day of meaningful work supporting families in need, while your workplace group re-connects after many months out of the office. Geelong Mums relies on the generosity of your time and the volume of work completed continually blows us away. If you are interested in your workplace group spending a day with us please get in touch with us today!

We are seeing a marked increase in need across the state - anecdotally in response to the rise in the cost of living. Anything Geelong Mums provide will reduce some of the financial strain on a family struggling to make ends meet, in a crisis situation or at a vulnerable time of uncertainty. 

Many of you may have seen our call outs recently for urgent items required. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. If you are interested in donating, please check our new "Guide to Donating to Geelong Mums" to make sure your donation meets our requirements. 

Our Partnership with The Skincare Company

The Skincare Company have been a key partner of Geelong Mums for several years and we are excited to share they have extended this partnership into 2022 by sponsoring an area of our warehouse. The Skincare Company Clothing Corner encompasses the area for the packing of clothing and is a focus for staff and volunteers when they sort, store and pack the thousands of clothing bags that are distributed each year.

The Skincare Company staff recently joined us for workplace volunteering and we’re proud of the shared values and support that the partnership of this locally owned and operated small business provides. 

Thank You to Our Funders

DID YOU KNOW...

...every year a third of our fundraising income comes from philanthropy? These are organisations who invest in the work we do as a charity to help reach more children in Geelong. We are incredibly grateful to funders who have granted critical funding in the last financial year such as the Percy Baxter Charitable Trust and Geelong Community Foundation. A full list of all our supporters can be seen here. 

A Community That Cares

Winter is often a difficult time for families experiencing financial stress. Recently, a single parent of two children has been struggling to balance work and childcare, and pay bills with the continuous increase in the cost of living. No one should have to handle this stress alone. To provide some financial relief, we delivered a provision of clothing, coats, linen packs, blankets, shoes and toiletries for the children. This alleviated some immediate stress, and also showed this family that they have a community that cares. They are not alone.

If you have a story to share about how Geelong Mums has impacted you or your family, friends, or clients, we would love to hear from you. 

Important Dates

Don’t miss out on the big things to come this year! Mark your calendars now with our important upcoming dates:

• Father's Day Sunday, 4 September
  Looking for a Father's Day gift idea? Get the paternal figures in your life a "Gift in Lieu"! Follow us on social media to hear more. 

• "Move, Drive & Thrive" September 5 - 23

  A digital campaign to get Prams, Car Seats, and Cots into the home of every baby and child in need. Follow us on Social Media to join in on the excitement!

• "Rise & Shine" Geelong Mums Business Breakfast October 13
  Our annual business breakfast aims to raise much needed funds to help families experiencing hardship, while connecting with the corporate and wider community. Stay tuned for tickets, available soon.

In the meantime, if you're looking to get involved, please consider volunteering with us. All ages, genders, and experience-levels are welcome! Or, take a look at our Workplace Volunteer Program and School Group Volunteer Program​​​​​​​. We have opportunities for everyone, and would love to see you here at the warehouse.

Upcoming Opportunities

Are you a strategic thinker? A connoisseur of board governance? We may have an upcoming opportunity for you! The St Kilda Mums Inc. board will soon be recruiting new directors. Keep an eye out on our website and the St Kilda Mums LinkedIn for more details, coming soon. 

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