Newsletter - Issue 9 - March 2022
Our News
Giving with purpose
Did you know that Pop In helps women dress for success? The wardrobes at our cottage at 2 Mona Rd are full of clothes suitable for important meetings like job interviews and court appearances - as well as essentials like new toiletries, pyjamas and underwear.
Because the community has been so generous, we do need to be selective in the donations we accept. Recently, a local business donated excess stock of beautiful bamboo loungewear, and we received a shipment directly from the Bonds factory. But when we receive offers of furniture and bedding, we just can’t accept them.
That’s where Givit comes in. Our Manager, Michele, welcomes inquiries from the community about donations. And when we can’t take them, she directs them to Givit, an online service that gives the right help, at the right time, to people who really need it.
We’re looking forward to refining our wardrobe service, so that eventually we can run a monthly pop-up market (just like in Maid) to help women get back on their feet.
International Women's Day
In case you haven’t heard, the rain in the Southern Highlands created some treacherous conditions around International Women’s Day! The Pop In team had planned a lunch at the cottage, for staff, volunteers and visitors. We’ll have our shared meal celebration another day.
Fundraising news
Last month we reported on two fitness-focused fundraisers that named Pop In as their beneficiary. We’re delighted to report that Waratah Building raised over $11K from taking part in the Husky Triathlon. We’re so grateful to Alison Courts and the Waratah team for this incredible gift. Thank you!
Unfortunately, the wild weather in the Southern Highlands prompted Creek to Peak’s organisers to postpone the “course with a cause” fun run in Bowral. They’re hoping to reschedule on a sunny Sunday in May - we’ll keep you posted, or you can follow the event on Instagram.
Of course you don’t need to wait for an event to donate to Pop In - it’s easy to do so from your desk or your couch. Simply visit our website.
Vicki Kelley,
Chair
Our Results
When Belinda* arrived in Australia from New Zealand to live with her daughter and help care for her two grandchildren, she never imagined she would also become a domestic violence survivor. The perpetrator? Her daughter.
The face of domestic violence and abuse rarely follows the stereotype.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Our Community
To help explain what we do - and celebrate our successes - Pop In has published an Annual Report 2021. Rich in detail, the report tells the story of the last few action-packed years as well as our strategic goals and how we plan to achieve them.
A look at the numbers we include really paint a picture of the need for Pop In’s service, and how we’re helping women in the Wingecarribee Shire. Thank you to our pro bono partners Banter Group and Custom Printing for delivering this valuable resource at no cost to Pop In.
Our People
Peter Curry
Peter Curry is Pop In’s board member who focuses on fundraising - it’s his no. 1 concern and he thinks about it 24/7.
Initially, Peter was motivated to help because he has the skills and the time to make an impact. “As you get older, you realise that you’re not here forever. You have to make sure you effectively utilise what time you have left and do something worthwhile.”
But it’s Pop In’s success stories - the way that it fills a gap in the community as a safe, secure place for women - that keeps him going: “Because if we don’t do this, where are these women going to go? When you realise we’ve helped over 100 women, and we didn’t even exist 12 months ago - and it’s like a lifeline to these women and their children - that’s so rewarding.”
As a charity that relies on donations, Pop In needs $300K+ a year to help women in the Southern Highlands who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Peter says that every dollar counts. A former Executive Director of Macquarie Bank, with experience raising equity for start-ups, he knows that it’s the personal connections that are most likely to lead to ongoing funding.
“If you consider yourselves part of the Southern Highlands community and you have the resources to help, then you’ve got a responsibility to donate to Pop In”
Peter says he loves the energy of working with such an outstanding board, staff and volunteers, and that it’s exciting to fight for a cause. We’re fortunate to have him on the team.
Our Partners
Pop In partners with OzHarvest to deliver meals to those who need it, and divert food that would otherwise end up going to waste. OzHarvest’s Southern Highlands branch supports 12 charities and works with 13 food donors (restaurants and small businesses alike); since opening 2017, they’ve delivered 240,000 meals across the Highlands.
Each Tuesday, Pop In’s volunteers help unload the OzHarvest van into the kitchen at 2 Mona Rd and package it up for our visitors, or make delicious meals to serve at the cottage.
