Every year, Refuge Victoria’s work is supported by individuals, businesses and community groups, keen to make a difference to families escaping family violence. This year we received some amazing donations from long-time supporters and made new friends and allies. Here are some of their stories.
Kids in refuge celebrate Christmas and Easter
The staff at the Melbourne office of global property and construction consulting firm Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) have been supporting families in refuge for some time, raising funds that enable Refuge Victoria to carry out our vital work, and digging deep at times when they know families in refuge need their friendship the most.
Over Christmas, RLB staff rallied together and delivered an enormous amount of presents for the children and their mums, as well as Christmas-themed games and crafting activities.
In the lead up to Easter, RLB staff once again stepped up, organising a donation drive, which included boxes full of chocolate eggs and rabbits of different sizes.
The extraordinary generosity of RLB staff is so greatly appreciated by Refuge Victoria, particularly by refuge workers who see what a difference their thoughtfulness makes to families spending what should be magical days for children in refuge.
Women in blue
Every year, the incredible women of the Victorian Police Forensic Services run a fundraising campaign to align with the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which starts from 25 November. During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good.
This time around, the Victoria Police Forensic Services staff chose Refuge Victoria as their charity. Refuge Victoria met with staff at their offices and talked about the work Refuge Victoria does with families escaping family violence – and wow, did the women from Victoria Police step up! Staff thoughtfully donated gifts for children and their mothers, as well as items we need all year round, including new linen and non-perishable food items.
The many hidden talents of VML
When global marketing firm, VML, contacted us and said they had selected Refuge Victoria as the chosen charity for their annual month of giving, we had no idea how far their generosity would extend or that the talents of the staff were so broad.
As part of their month of giving campaign, VML launched a fundraising appeal to which staff donated, and also generously offered their marketing expertise to help develop our communications.
In an amazing act of kindness, VML offered all staff one day they could spend volunteering. The timing couldn’t have been better, with one of our refuge properties in need of some TLC, so early one morning, a group of marketing professionals donned their gumboots and overalls, picked up gardening equipment and got to work. They did an incredible job!