The REIV Charitable Foundation

Local member Kirsty Patterson recommended a grant to Baw Baw Food Relief. Tony Roccisano and Robyn Waters OAM present a grant to Sunraysia Residential Services’ Lisa Post and Courtney White.

Members direct funds to charity

Everyone has been affected in some way by extreme events over the past 18 months including bushfires, the pandemic, storms and floods. Many charities across the State continue to experience significantly increased demand for their services at the same time as their usual fundraising activities being severely hampered.

The REIV Charitable Foundation was delighted to have been able to assist eight charities in Victoria through grants totalling $52,000. REIV Members helped to determine the very worthy recipients.

A grant to Sunraysia Residential Services Inc, proposed by Tony Roccisano, will leave a lasting legacy through the refurbishment of respite accommodation.

Garry Nash proposed Junction Support Services Inc and North East Support and Action for Youth Inc. Their grants are being used to furnish and equip a therapeutic space for counselling children and young people and to establish a NESAY Young Parents Group.

Kirsty Patterson proposed two small volunteer-run charities in Gippsland. The grant to Olivia’s Place is for their Pets of the Homeless Ltd works to keep vulnerable people and their pets together in times of hardship. The grant will assist their Emergency Boarding and Foster Care Programs.

With all Foundation funds having been disbursed, and with REIV approval as the sole Member, the Foundation has been wound up through voluntary deregistration.

The REIV will carry on the legacy, not least by celebrating the considerable charitable work undertaken by Members and partnering with charities to raise funds at key REIV events.

Material Aid Program and the grant to Baw Baw Food Relief has kickstarted their Community Outreach Program.

Sikh Volunteers of Australia Inc provides free meals to the homeless and disadvantaged across seven Council areas on an ongoing basis, but they also travel further afield to support communities in crisis. In the past 18 months, this has included Bairnsdale, Kensington and Flemington housing commission residents, NSW flood-affected areas and, more recently, the storm-hit Dandenong Ranges.

Eastern Emergency Relief Network Inc supports those in need by providing everything to make a home and the grant was awarded to ensure stocks of high cost non-perishable food, hygiene and sanitary products. The REIV Charitable Foundation is delighted to have been able to assist eight charities in Victoria through grants totalling $52,000.