An article from Paul Rake, Chadstone East Malvern
Seventy-two microwave ovens, ninety-two floor mops, forty-two kettles and thirty toasters – what do they have in common? A Rotary project providing household items for families, refugees or people who had been incarcerated starting new lives in secure accommodation.
The Rotary Clubs of Prahran, Malvern and Chadstone East Malvern were excited once again to come together as part of the old Stonnington Cluster to formulate and implement a project to provide needed household items for people starting new lives.
The Clubs kicked in $5,000 and the heart of Rotary – OUR Foundation provided $5,000 from a District Grant.
Most people can see the physical changes in lives through the support of Rotary projects but the positive effects to one’s mental health of having a safe place to call home cannot be overrated. And knowing that you have all of the basic needs for a home, some of the items still in their boxes, adds to the joy!!!
The teams of Rotarians:
- Obtained a list of needed items from those community organisations that provide front line support to the families transitioning from domestic violence, incarceration and other forms of homelessness to their new accommodation.
- Hauled shopping trolley load after trolley load of goods from K Mart: sneak question how many 20 litre microwave ovens can you fit in one trolley?
- Stored the goods in member’s garages as the pile grew from the shopping.
- Utilised the services of Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Network (RIMERN) to consolidate all of the goods into one location – the cakes and tea/coffee were a bonus and made the working bees a delight!!
- Distributed the goods to the recipients along with other items selected at the RIMERN depot so that each family or individual had a full household package.
The Rotary Foundation District Grant:
- Doubled the impact that the Club funds alone could achieve.
- Rewarded the Clubs for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation, made over many years.
- Encouraged us to look for our next community project that qualifies for a District Grant.
