Jessica Turner We profile three local charity organisations that need your support in 2016.
Share the Dignity
Providing homeless and at risk women nationally with sanitary products to allow them a sense of dignity at a time when they need it most, Share the Dignity believe no woman should suffer the indignity of choosing between eating and buying sanitary items.
“We have had such an amazing response from Australian women we like to call “sheros” and with their help we have been able to provide domestic violence refuges and homeless shelters with substantial donations of pads and tampons,” says founder Rochelle Courtenay of the products which are often the last items to be donated yet the first to be taken.
“We are continuously hearing from women across Australia, ‘OMG I had never thought of this being an issue. It’s almost embarrassing that it had not occurred to me before’.
“The most extraordinary call to action has occurred and momentum is building. Perhaps because it is so easy just to pop another packet of pads in our shopping basket? But we need more help. We want to share the dignity and be at the forefront of all women’s minds when they shop at this time of the month.”
How you can help:
- Donate sanitary items at collection sites Australia-wide
- Attend the annual DigniTEA events across the country this May
- Shop through supported partners
Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better is a free national community service program dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Women, men and teens participate in a practical workshop which covers skin care, make-up and head wear demonstrations, leaving them empowered and ready to face their cancer diagnosis with confidence.
Look Good Feel Better programs are open anyone undergoing treatment for any sort of cancer. In Australia, more than 118,000 people have participated in the program, which now offers approximately 1,000 workshops nationwide in more than 180 venues.
Today, the program is managed by a small team of team of staff and the support of 1,500 trained and certified cosmetic, beauty and hairdressing professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to help deliver workshops across Australia. Each workshop participant receives a complimentary Confidence Kit and instruction booklet.
With no government funding, the Cancer Patients Foundation relies heavily on the generosity of corporate and community supporters.
How you can help:
- Donating online
- Organise a fundraising event
- Take part in an existing event
- Become a Workshop Volunteer
Every Little Bit Helps
Every Little Bit Helps is a registered Australian charity with the specific purpose of receiving and distributing complimentary toiletry products, make-up, cosmetics and in-flight amenity kits to those in need.
Donations may include in-flight amenity kits with unopened socks, earplugs and body products, as well as hotel products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, combs and toothbrushes, and beauty samples. These items are given to those in need including the homeless, women’s shelters and underprivileged youth.
How you can help:
- Donate unused products to PO Box 340, Forestville NSW 2087
- Volunteer by helping to gather donations, make care packages or distribute donations
- Organise a collection box at your place of work
