The Frank Montagnese Foundation has donated funds to Our Village, helping cover the cost of 58 cots for their Festive Appeal.
Our Village is raising critical funds that will help keep its operations going and provide much-needed items to vulnerable babies and children who urgently need them and are aiming to raise $300,000 this festive season.
The money will go directly towards providing items such as clothing bundles, prams, cots, car seats and high chairs.
Importantly, each item goes through thorough safety checks and is cleaned, checked for damage and packaged as gifts to families in need.
According to Our Village, more than 570 families are presently in need of assistance and have been referred to the local charity through the organisation’s support network
“Among them (the 570 families) are mums who are expecting a baby and can’t afford a pram. Toddlers who have grown out of their clothes. Babies with no cot to sleep in,” Our Village head of fundraising communications Olivia Zinzan told Time News Group in November.
“Last year, we had an eye-watering 9,417 requests – more than 25 requests every single day – for preloved essentials and we expect the final number for 2024 to be even bigger.
“For some parents or caregivers, the challenge to provide for their children can be relentless.
“The biggest causes of disadvantage we are seeing on requests we receive are financial hardship, single parents, asylum seekers and refugees, and parents fleeing domestic violence.”
The charity was formed in 2013 when St Kilda Mums, Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums came together to increase their impact in the community.
As a result, their impact on the local community has been profound, helping not only vulnerable babies and children, but also the environment by reducing the waste that ends up in landfill from discarded items.
We’re proud to help the team down at Our Village and continue to support their cause through this donation during the festive season.
