Its official, spring is here! Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP is encouraging locals to spark joy for someone in need by supporting not-for-profit donation platform GIVIT’s spring clean campaign.

Running up until 14 November, the campaign invites Australians to donate their preloved or unwanted items.

GIVIT works with more than 4,000 charities and support organisations around Australia to coordinate donations for people experiencing hardship due to natural disasters, COVID-19, domestic and family violence, homelessness, disability, and mental health.

Mr Vasta said the last 18 months have been a challenging time for many families and individuals in Bonner, where the support of campaign’s like GIVIT’s spring clean can make a priceless difference to those doing it tough.

“I have had the privilege of working with GIVIT for the last few years, who do incredible work with our charities in Bonner and am proud to be continuing my support with their most recent campaign,” said Mr Vasta.

“There’s no better time for a spring clean and I encourage locals to donate any items the GIVIT campaign needs.

“I would like to see the community come together to support those who need it most during this time.”

 GIVIT CEO and Bonner local Sarah Tennant said GIVIT is committed to improving waste reduction by facilitating the donation of used, returned, recycled and repaired quality items to support disadvantaged Australians.

“Recent reports show that most Australians have, on average, 19 unused or unwanted items in their homes, so we’re calling on people to donate these items to GIVIT and spark some much-needed joy this spring,” said Sarah.

 The GIVIT Spring Campaign runs from 1 September to 14 November. To donate to GIVIT’s Spring Campaign as an individual or business visit www.givit.org.au/spring.

Local charities, services and community groups can register with GIVIT for free to access thousands of donations offered by generous individuals and corporates. Register via GIVIT.org.au/need-help/organisations.

The 2020 Ross Vasta Christmas Appeal officially launched today and has partnered with national online charity GIVIT to provide much needed support to families in Bonner.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said 2020 had been a year like no other with the global coronavirus pandemic impacting on hardworking families.

“To say it has been a difficult year would be an understatement,” Mr Vasta said.

“I know there are many families in my electorate still doing it tough and this year’s Christmas Appeal, I would like to see the community come together to support those families who may be looking at a very different kind of holiday season.

“I have partnered with GIVIT who work with charities in Bonner recognising families in need of support.

“We’ll be putting up a Christmas tree in my office where you can read some of these families’ stories, and donate cash or a gift card which will be used to purchase essential items to help ease their financial burden.”

Mr Vasta said all items would be purchased from local small businesses in Bonner, which are also in need of community support.“Small businesses are run by hard working locals and families so I’d like to buy locally to support these businesses,” Mr Vasta said.

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said GIVIT has been working with local frontline charities to identify the families and households needing support through what has been a very difficult year.

“Christmas is always a hard time for people who are struggling financially, exacerbated by the economic impacts of COVID-19,” said Ms Tennant.

“Sadly, we’re seeing a significant increase in people needing help, including many who have never before needed to ask.

“We’re proud to once again partner with the Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP, and provide some Christmas cheer across Brisbane’s southside to those who need it most.”

To donate to the Ross Vasta Christmas appeal, visit www.rossvasta.com.au/community/ross-vasta-christmas-appeal/ or visit the office at 69 Clara St, Wynnum.

100 per cent of funds received will be used to purchase essential items for Bonner families in need this Christmas.

Thanks to the generosity of the Bonner community, more than $5000 was raised through the Ross Vasta Christmas Appeal for Stanthorpe to help bring some Christmas cheer to the drought and bushfire affected region.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Team Vasta and representatives from GIVIT online charity visited the region on Tuesday to distribute the donations, and the community response was both overwhelming and humbling.

“We joined GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant to help buy goods and vouchers for people in need, and the response from the community was just outstanding,” Mr Vasta said.

“Stanthorpe’s St Vincent de Paul Society branch identified a number of families needing support, so we went to work purchasing good and vouchers from IGA, some toys to ensure these kids would be visited by Santa, as well as vouchers to buy school uniforms.

“Thank you to everyone who donated to this appeal. You have helped bring so much joy and relief to those who really need it.”

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said all funds received were spent at local businesses to further support the regional community.

“We purchased hair dressing vouchers from Stanthorpe salons, and gift cards from a local family-operated service station to provide some relief to drought-affected farmers,” Ms Tennant said.

“Hampers of household essentials, children’s toys, gift vouchers and festive mince pies we also donated to lighten the financial pressures on families celebrating what’s been an extremely testing year.

“As well as visiting St Vincent de Paul, we gave festive items for Christmas care packages to Granite Belt Drought Assist’s facility where people across the region can access vital donations of water.”

Ms Tennant said they had barely driven out of the city when Lee Stroud from St Vincent de Paul – Stanthorpe called to say she had already given some donations to a local family in need.

“The mum was so overwhelmed. She was nearly speechless and so grateful,” Ms Tennant said.

“We were so happy to partner with Ross Vasta to help bring some Christmas cheer to the Stanthorpe community during such a tough time.

“GIVIT is here for the long-term for the Southern Darling Downs region, as well as all communities in need across Queensland.”

Mr Vasta said he was pleased they had already received some heart-warming responses from the community.

“Sally Orreal from Stanthorpe Sport and Camping said she had goosebumps and was holding back tears when we came in to shop up a storm for toys for local kids,” Mr Vasta said.

“She thanked Team Vasta and GIVIT with a big hug for buying locally.”

Items donated are listed below:

Lee Stroud, St Vincent de Paul – Stanthorpe

4 x $50 Stanthorpe Quality Meats butcher
2x $40 haircut vouchers
4 x $50 Howard & Son’s Mitre 10
$400 worth of Spano’s IGA Stanthorpe $20 vouchers
20 Toys purchased from local sports shop
100 groceries including cleaning products and hygiene products
12 Chrisco hampers
Pack of bonds singlets baby
1 baby skirt
5 x $80 fuel from Stanthorpe Fuel & Services
19 Christmas cards/decorations

Glenda Riles – Granite Belt Drought Assist

4 x $100 Gleesons Mercery, school uniform vouchers
2 x $40 hair cut vouchers
4 x $50 Howard & Son’s Mitre 10
4 x $50 Stanthorpe Quality Meats butcher
4 x $80 fuel from Stanthorpe Fuel & Services
$620 worth of Spano’s IGA Stanthorpe $20 vouchers
25 toys
Large Box of hanes underwear
10 Chrisco hampers

Sandra Head – Southern Downs Emergency Relief

10x $50 BP Fuel vouchers
10x $50 Spano’s IGA Warwick
10x $50 Woolworths wish cards – donated from Queensland Rail

The Ross Vasta Christmas Appeal for Stanthorpe has attracted generous community support, including from eight-year-old Charlotte Mews who recently donated $123 she raised though a bake sale.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was so proud of Charlotte who wanted to donate the money she raised through Moreton Bay Girl Guides to the appeal.

“Charlotte’s mum Sarah contacted our office to let us know her daughter had baked cookies, slices and cupcakes and sold them to her fellow Brownies and Girl Guide leaders to raise funds for drought affected farmers,” Mr Vasta said.

“As well as fundraising through a bake sale, Charlotte presented a poster gave and short talk at Brownies about the drought and fires in Stanthorpe.

“When she heard about our Christmas appeal, she wanted to present us with the funds she raised, and GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant was more than happy to accept it on my behalf.”

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said the online charity had so far received cash donations from dozens of individuals and families in the east Brisbane electorate.

“We’re incredibly heartened by the generous response from the people of Bonner, and especially by the amazing individual donation from Charlotte from what sounded like a very delicious bake sale,” Ms Tennant said.

“100 per cent of donations GIVIT receives through the Ross Vasta Christmas Appeal will go towards purchasing items from Stanthorpe businesses for bushfire-affected households. Whether it be five or 200 dollars, every donation helps give Christmas cheer to a devastated community.”

Charlotte’s mum Sarah Mews said her daughter was inspired to help the drought affected community following a recent trip to Stanthorpe to visit her grandparents.

“We are very proud of what she has achieved at such a young age,” Ms Mews said.

Mr Vasta said so far the Christmas Appeal for Stanthorpe had raised more than $2700.

“We’re more than halfway through the appeal so a big thank you to the generous people of Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

“Thanks to our partnership with GIVIT, 100 per cent of funds will be supporting the drought and bushfire affected Stanthorpe region to bring them some Christmas cheer.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.rossvasta.com.au/community/grants