April News Update

Hi

I hope you’re keeping safe and well. It’s a difficult time for so many people at the moment with everyone adapting to their “new normal”. 

On 23 March, we made the really tough decision to close our warehouse to volunteers and for goods donations. It was a difficult day but it’s important that we follow the government's advice to strictly limit travel outside the home. 

Because of the community’s generosity, families in crisis are still being supported. I’m proud to share that March was the biggest month on record.  

2,227 children were provided vital nursery equipment.  
6,879 items were re-homed with a total value of more than $750,000.
 
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation to our Emergency Appeal. We’re so grateful to you as well as our partners in philanthropy, businesses, and other supporters placing online orders and every single person who has helped make these numbers possible. 

The desperate need for support in our community right now is greater than we’ve ever seen before. And we know that it will only increase as the impact of the economic situation kicks in. 

This special note from one of the families is a great reminder of how much your support means -

“I’ve found myself telling so many people how I recently received the kindest and most wonderful gift from a group of angels called St Kilda Mums. Now to say life has been rough as of late would be simple of me. However, what gets the loudest attention during all this, is the generosity and good grace of everyone that contributes to giving to others in need. What we were given and the timing of it, will stay with us as a family forever. We have a bubble of love that continues to grow. It has kick started my sense of resilience and cleared a path for vision. I guess I will never underestimate the power of what you all do and what is needed from even me. I am grateful… completely thankful from my family to you”. 


Thank you again for everything you do for us . 

I know you understand how important it is to keep providing essential nursery equipment to families now and well beyond this global crisis.

Please read on for some other good news stories from St Kilda Mums. 

Stay safe and well. 

Warm regards, 

Jessie 

Jessica Macpherson
CEO
0437476750
jessica@stkildamums.org

A special message 

It’s always lovely to receive notes from social workers - it’s exactly what we need at this time to remind us why our service is so essential. 

“My client has asked me to pass on a VERY BIG thank you for the things you have given her. She said it was beautiful to see the names of the people who donated things. She became teary when she talked about the toiletry pack, and said it made her feel special.”

Gift of safety 

We would like to say a huge thank you to Gandel Philanthropy and Cooper Investors. Their recent financial support enabled us to purchase new cots, mattresses, car seats and prams.
 
In just one week, 166 families with 367 children benefited from this support and received the following items: 
 
22 cots and bassinets
38 car seats
33 prams
229 clothing and linen bags
227 packs of nappies and wipes 
More than 100 toy and book packs 
 
These brand new cots, car seats and prams will last families at least 10 years. They’ll ensure many babies and children are provided with the gift of safety, independence and dignity. 

Filling the gap 

As you know, a number of items have become difficult to find on supermarket shelves recently.  Nappies in particular were very low in stock and we received a high number of urgent requests for them. Can you imagine how stressful it would be if you couldn’t find nappies and other necessary products for your baby?

Baby Love came to the rescue, donating 760 packs of newborn nappies. That’s a 4 week supply for 190 families! 

Impact in Regional Victoria

Our Every Baby Every Town Project assists families living in more remote areas of Victoria. We believe that all children deserve a safe start, no matter where they live.

With the support of our pro bono freight partner, Victorian Freight Specialists, this service has continued during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Since 23 March, 61 families have been supported with the following items -

  • 12 car seats
  • 7 cots
  • 11 prams (including three double prams)
  • 84 clothing bags
  • 43 linen bundles
  • 25 toy bundles
  • 45 craft and book packs

A big thank you to the Richmond branch of Storage King Australia for donating packing boxes and tape to help with transporting these deliveries.

Mother's Day Gift Certificate

We know Mother’s Day is going to feel a little different this year. If you’re stuck for a gift idea or want to give a hint to your family, you can make a donation in lieu of a Mother's Day Gift. We have three gift certificates you can choose from - one to celebrate a birthday or arrival of a new baby, one for Mother's Day and one for any other occasion. 

We’re also attaching a beautiful piece of artwork from our friend Madeleine Stamer with every receipt. It can be printed and coloured in. We would love to see the completed artwork, so please remember to tag us on social media @stkildamums

Working with the community  

Ivan is the Wellbeing Coordinator at Dandenong West Primary school & works alongside the Community Hub to distribute pantry items when needed to school families. Thanks to your generous donations, we loaded his car up with baby food & other essentials to supplement their care packages.

Product donations save the day

A number of our corporate supporters and businesses have stepped up and provided us with urgent product donations to ensure we can keep supporting families.

A special thank you to the following businesses for their generous support: 

Thank you to every one of our supporters who have been ordering online and sending toiletries, underwear and other essential items. With your help, we’ve been able to deliver brand new and essential items to families in need. 

Zendesk - thank you!

Lastly, we want to shine the spotlight on our long term corporate partner, Zendesk, and in particular Megan Wilken who is their Regional Social Impact Program Manager. Zendesk supports St Kilda Mums in a number of significant ways including software donations, sponsorship and corporate volunteering. They know St Kilda Mums inside and out so when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our organisation, Megan immediately sought additional financial support that is helping us to manage our way through this crisis.

Thanks Megan and Zendesk Social Impact.

 

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