As reported in recent months, SCN‘s inbox has been flooded with extraordinary examples of acts of kindness by shopping centre teams across the country in response to COVID-19, and as the global pandemic continues to hit the fundraising efforts of all charities, we highlight QICGRE’s Eastland Shopping Centre in Melbourne and the amazing work they are are doing with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.
The Foundation was formed in 1997 by Walter Mikac after his daughters, Alannah and Madeline, and their mother, were killed along with 32 others during the Tasmanian Port Arthur tragedy in 1996.
The Melbourne shopping centre has been supporting the The Alannah & Madeline Foundation since 2017 – it’s a charity close to Eastland’s heart as they do incredible work to help protect children from any form of violence.
Over the past three years, the centre has donated more than $100,000 to help the charity’s prevention and care programs. Eastland centre management teams annually take part in packing the Alannah & Madeline Buddy Bags – brightly-coloured backpacks full of basic, essential items including toiletries, underwear and pyjamas, as well as some home comforts like a book and the all-important teddy bear – which are given to vulnerable children who’ve been placed in emergency accommodation, such as refuges and emergency foster care.
This program, like many of the organisations initiatives have been affected by COVID-19, which is why Eastland wanted to demonstrate its support and commitment during these difficult times with this vital delivery. To help ensure the Foundation can continue its incredible work, Eastland purchased and donated more than $1,000 worth of toiletries for the Buddy Bags. This includes 200 toothbrushes, 200 tubes of toothpaste, 200 hairbrushes and 100 facecloths.
Greg Balmforth, Eastland’s General Manager, says, “The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is a charity that’s very important to us, and during a ‘normal’ year we are involved in a number of events to raise money. Of course, this year is different. We asked the Foundation how we could best support them, and they told us it would be enormously helpful if we could provide toiletries for the Buddy Bags.”
“We know how important Buddy Bags are for vulnerable children, and we are delighted to be able to support the children and the Foundation in this way”, he said.
Lesley Podesta, CEO of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, thanked Eastland for its ongoing support, especially through these difficult times. “Buddy Bags are backpacks filled with essential items for babies, children and teens who have arrived in refuges or emergency foster care. Often, they leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs. These are some of our most vulnerable youngsters and families, and we distribute around 10,000 Buddy Bags across Australia every year.
She continued “They provide great comfort and joy to children at one of the most difficult times of their lives. Eastland’s support of our work and the Buddy Bags program is gratefully acknowledged and the contributions very much welcomed.”
Much needed toiletries were donated
In partnership with Urban Life church the centre is again supporting the wonderful Winter Shelter program, which helps people who are homeless, and those in need in Maroondah, through the provision of food and shelter. The Winter Shelter program provides an invaluable service for the people of Maroondah.
The space is open from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, every Sunday and Monday from now until the end of winter, serving hot meals to those in need.
“The team at Eastland are extremely happy to be able to provide this space again for the program. We are thrilled to be able to support and partner with them again. We are passionate about helping people and organisations in the community, and even more so during this unprecedented time.” said Balmforth.
COVID-19 has made this year’s Winter Shelter an even greater challenge than usual. In keeping with the restrictions currently in place, all meals will be served as a takeaway and social distancing protocols will be implemented.
“A pandemic is difficult for everyone, but if you are homeless and have nowhere to self isolate, and no refrigerator to store two weeks of food, it is especially difficult” said Scott Hawkins – Venue Manager, Winter Shelter
Thanks to our partnership with Eastland, Winter Shelter is now able to safely provide food and regular friendly contact with those sleeping rough and others at risk or in need.” said Hawkins
On the 12 May, the centre celebrated International Nurses Day by acknowledging local nurses at Eastern Health by supporting their wonderful gesture of their staff “care packs” Eastland partnered with one of the centre’s cafes Espresso Warriors to provide 4,000 local nurses with a reusable coffee cup and coffee vouchers for them to enjoy a much deserved break.
Eastland said thank you to local nurses on International Nurses Day
The Executive Director at Eastern Health said “On behalf of Eastern Health, our nurses and midwives, I would like to extend our sincere thanks for your generosity and willingness to help us celebrate International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day. 2020 is the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and what a year it has been. Our staff are facing once in a lifetime challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a year of hard work and uncertainty. To see the smiles on the faces of our staff yesterday as they received their coffee vouchers and keep cups from SOURCEY.M was very uplifting.”
Nurses receive an uplifting gift
Also, in May, Eastland donated enough travel-size hand sanitisers for 3000 local students and teachers returning to classrooms.
The hand sanitisers, which can clip onto pencil cases and school bags, were given to staff and prep, grade 1 and grade 2 students at Ringwood North Primary School, Kalinda Primary School, Ringwood Heights Primary School, Croydon Special Development School, Great Ryrie Primary School, Eastwood Primary School, Marlborough Primary School and Mullum Primary School.
Eastland donated $8,000 of hand sanitiser to local primary schools (L-R) Ringwood North Primary School principal Ken Chatterton, students Hannah (grade 6), Ashley (grade 3) and Mia (grade 5) and Eastland General Manager Greg Balmforth. Picture: Josie Hayden
They were also handed out to staff and year 11 and 12 students returning to Ringwood Secondary College, Heathmont College and Croydon Community School.
“Some schools are experiencing difficulty getting a hold of sanitiser products, and we are happy that we can provide some relief especially to staff who are trying to manage the wellbeing needs of their students,” says Greg Balmforth, General Manager of Eastland.
