Hi
What an interesting time we have all been living in over these last few months. We’ve all experienced something both traumatic and unifying over this time. We’ve seen many heartbreaking stories, particularly from overseas, and we’ve united as a community and as a country in a way never seen before to ensure that the story of the United States, of Britain, of Italy, did not become our story.
We have all had to quickly adapt and our busy lives have given way to a slower pace, although with added challenges of working and schooling from home. I find it quite poignant to think that this is a period of history that our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be learning about at school in years to come.
As a community we have all ‘been in this together’ and that has never been more evident by us here at Eureka Mums. The way the community has continued to support us and therefore those who are most vulnerable in our region has been so inspiring. I am delighted to let you know that we have now reopened for volunteers and goods donations after ten weeks, and we did not have to suspend our service for even one day.
Finally, our Giving Day is just around the corner on 17 June and I ask you to please #givesharecare on this day. Donate what you can, share our posts and let us know why you care about Eureka Mums.
Open for goods donations
It feels like such a long time since we’ve been able to accept beautiful preloved goods from the community. With government restrictions easing this week, we can welcome a small number of donations back into the warehouse.
If you’re thinking about dropping donations in, please read the details below very carefully to consider the best method for you.
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Drop off - Strictly by pre booking only
If you have items that are on our most needed list, you can book in to drop off to our warehouse. Please email us with a list of what you have to donate and we can send the link to book through our online booking system. The booking time is important as we are open to social workers as well and need to ensure that we are able to keep everyone safe and maintain social distancing.
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Australia Post
If you have items that can be posted or ordered online, we would be so grateful if you could use this option. Our address is: Eureka Mums, 15A Gray St Sebastopol VIC 3356
We are in desperate need of the specific items below and these donated items must be our priority. We are going to ask all our fabulous supporters to be very considerate in the content and quality of their donations and to please hang onto any other donations that aren’t on the list below.
- Cots
- Car seats
- Prams
- Clothing for school aged children (particularly) - new, laundered & near new
- Coats
- Linen - single bed and cot
- Toiletries
- Microwave Sterilisers
If you have any questions about what you can and can't donate, please first go to our website and then please email us. We are very happy to answer your questions.
Supporting our community together
Throughout this hectic time, we are so thankful that we've been able to remain open. We are in awe of the efforts of the support workers who have continued to collect goods from us and distribute them to local families doing it tough. We have adjusted by setting up a contactless service at the warehouse. Pre packed orders in trolleys are being wheeled out to social worker’s cars and loaded by staff, all an example of the efforts to minimise risk. This has meant that families in need have still been able to access urgent items during this crisis.
Unfortunately we've been operating without our amazing team of volunteers and we just wanted to take this opportunity to thank them for all of the hard work they put in prior to COVID-19. Without their incredible efforts, our stock levels just would not have been able to sustain us over the last few months!
In just two months, we distributed 762 items with a preloved value of $74,688 to support 112 families with 252 children. Such an incredible effort.
The families we support have faced many challenges with increased complexity over this time. From nappies and soap being out of stock at the supermarket to limited or no face to face outreach contact from their caseworkers. Supporting children to learn from home was challenging for most but has been especially challenging for new arrivals when English is not their first language.
Many families have not been eligible for any government payments and navigating changes of Centrelink support always creates opportunities for families who may fall through the cracks.
The response from our community has literally been life saving. When we closed our doors to goods donation in March, much of our stock in the warehouse came close to running out quickly. With funds donated, we have been able to purchase wholesale cots, prams and car seats. Brand new clothing, toiletries and linen has arrived in the post so that families still have what they need to welcome their babies home. Without donations from the times pre-COVID and a top up of generous online donations of brand new goods, this level of support just wouldn't have been possible. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
A message of thanks
We received this lovely message from an Enhanced Maternal Child Health Nurse that recently asked for support for a mum and her newborn.
“Recently on a home visit to a new mum who had been placed in emergency housing, I was able to supply her with nappies, wipes, steriliser and beanies supplied by the lovely people at Eureka Mums. My request was filled quickly. It's hard enough for a first time mum to organise a visit to the shops in the first few weeks being home from hospital but add the difficulty of being on her own and with all the fear associated with the COVID -19, these few items helped her to feel better about the safety of her young child.”
National Volunteer Week
In the week beginning Monday 19 May, we celebrated National Volunteer Week. We are so lucky to have such wonderful volunteers that continue to support us, even when they haven’t been able to attend our warehouse.
During the week of social media celebration, we shared profiles of some of our wonderful volunteers on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Please read below about Grace who volunteers with us.
Why did you start volunteering with Eureka Mums?
Because I found I had some spare time and wanted to give back in a productive way. I had also heard great things about Eureka Mums and wanted to find out more!
How did you find out about Eureka Mums?
My mum works in a similar field and has always had great experiences with Eureka Mums. I had also heard about St Kilda Mums through social media and wondered if there was something alike in my area.
Favourite memory at Eureka Mums?
Coming in on one of my first days and being so welcomed by everyone.
#givesharecare on Giving Day 2020
Giving Day is almost here! Only one week to go. Last year, an incredible $25,170 was donated by our generous community. With those funds, we’ve been able to support thousands of families through some very difficult times.
This year, we need to raise the same amount again to ensure every baby and child has the essential nursery equipment they need. We know it's an ambitious goal but we truly believe it's achievable when you, our incredible supporters stand beside us on the day.
Every financial donation will be quadrupled. Please give what you can, share our posts with your network and show how much you care for those in need.
Share your support
We would really love to shine a spotlight on our beautiful community of supporters during Giving Day. If you’re interested in recording a short video about how you give, share and care about Eureka Mums, please email our Fundraising Manager Rochelle and she will send you some more information.
Thank you
Finally, I’d like to say a very big thank you to each and every one of you for your unwavering support, especially over the last three months. COVID-19 has thrown each of us many curveballs, we have all reacted differently to the way that it has affected us. The families we support have been affected more than most. But we have been able to continue to support them in the best way we could because of you.
To our wonderful community - thank you for not forgetting about them and for continuing to share our vision where we waste less, share more and care for every child.
Much love,
Trinsa
Trinsa Lewis
Operations Manager
trinsa@eurekamums.org