Members of Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club are calling on the community to give generously this Anti-Poverty Week from October 13 to 19 and sponsor a child through national children’s education charity The Smith Family.
Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club helps 21 children through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life education support program, which provides families with long term educational, financial, and personal assistance so that children have all the essentials needed to fully participate in their learning.
President of the VC03 VIEW Clubs Region Lorraine Batrouney said with one in six children in Australia growing up in poverty, there has never been a more important time to support a child with their education.
“Families are having to make impossible choices during this cost-of-living crisis, this could be prioritising rent over sending their child on a school excursion, being able to afford school books or essential digital learning tools,” he said.
“A laptop and reliable internet access at home are now vital for any child’s education. No child should have to miss out on the essentials for their education, and this is why VIEW is so passionate about supporting the work of The Smith Family.
“Its evidence-based approach helps children experiencing disadvantage to overcome the educational inequality they face. They support students for the duration of their education, and this helps them build the confidence and skills needed to create better futures for themselves.”
OGEVIEW Club is also encouraging women of all ages to donate their time and skills by joining a VIEW club.
Last year, VIEW members collectively volunteered more than 70,000 hours of their time to help young people through homework, reading and mentoring programs run by the charity – but there’s still a need for more helping hands.
VIEW members have a unique opportunity to provide hands-on support to children experiencing disadvantage, while also forming meaningful and lasting community relationships.
Recently, members participated in and organised reading assistance at Newcomb Primary School, a fundraising garden party, handmade blankets donated to Geelong Mums.
Upcoming fundraising events by Ocean Grove Evening View are: Bunnings barbecue at Leopold Saturday October 12, fashion parade at the Pavillion Shell Road October 30, December Rotary market stall in Ocean Grove, and a major fundraising raffle (Beach Buggy) in which tickets will be sold at APCO Barwon Heads, Coles Ocean Grove and IGA Barwon Heads.
To find out more about joining VIEW, visit view.org.au or call 1800 805 366.
