Help Share the Dignity
Charity needs volunteers to cover Cowes and Bass Coast area.
A charity that works to distribute period products and toiletries to women and girls experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence, is calling for a helping hand.
Share the Dignity runs three drives a year (March, August and Christmas), asking people to donate goods which are then distributed via local charities to those who need them most.
While the March and August drives concentrate on product donations instore, at Christmas, they ask people to donate a handbag filled with toiletries and sanitary items and drop them at a Bunnings outlet.
All of this amazing work is coordinated by a dedicated group of volunteers and Bass Coast is in desperate need of more hands to help.
Rhonda Chapman is the second in charge in the Central Gippsland and Bass Coast Region. She said they desperately need people to help cover the enormous area.
“Currently we have volunteers in Sale, Traralgon and Rosedale and they are trying to cover the entire area. We would love to have someone on Phillip Island that could just cover Cowes.”
Volunteers help coordinate the March and August drives which are run through Woolworths and encourage people to purchase sanitary products and leave them in the Share the Dignity boxes instore.
“You just have to go in and check the boxes and signs are set up instore and at the end of every week, go in and check and collect what’s in the boxes.”
Volunteers do an inventory of everything donated and at the end of the month pack everything up and send it off to local charities.
Ideally, volunteers need to have access to a car and a computer.
“The good thing is it is flexible and can work around you and your lifestyle,” said Rhonda. “You work on the days and at the times that suit you.”
The Christmas drive is run through Bunnings, with people encouraged to fill a handbag with toiletries and drop it at their nearest store. Items to go into the bag include: shampoo and conditioner, soap/bodywash, toothbrush and cover, toothpaste, a packet of pads, packet of tampons, deodorant and sanitary products. Other items such as face washers, hairbrush, comb, soap holders and drink bottles are also welcome.
These are then collected and checked by volunteers and distributed through local charities.
In the past, Phillip Island had an enthusiastic volunteer coordinating local donations, but she has since moved interstate.
Rhonda is hoping someone will be able to step into her shoes.
“The work is mainly around those three drives, so if you can commit to those months and doing something at those times, that would be fantastic. The rest of the year is pretty quiet.”
Share the Dignity welcomes volunteers of all ages (although you will need a licence or access to a car) and has both male and female volunteers.
“Our men are called heroes and our female volunteers are sheroes,” said Rhonda.
Anyone wanting to know more about Share the Dignity can go to the website www.sharethedignity.org.au and volunteers can apply online.
Alternatively, call Rhonda Chapman on 0411 163 719.
