Evolve Housing’s Volunteer Angels

Working together with Bunnings and Bear Cottage, the only children’s hospice in NSW and one of only three in Australia, the pair do all that they can to help raise money for sick kids and their families.

Joy focuses on creating incredible owl door stoppers (and she has made 4,000 to date!), while Robyn knits tea towels, beanies, scarves as well as making rugs, aprons, soft toys, baby boots with sheep soles, and coat hangers.

The journey began 12 years ago when Evolve Housing resident Joy devastatingly lost her husband Norman. Robyn was already working alongside Bear Cottage and asked her sister to join her volunteering efforts.

“I’ve loved it ever since and being able to work with my sister makes it that much better,” Joy told Evolve Housing.

Spending time together creating these treasured items to make a difference is at the forefront of Joy and Robyn’s goal.

When they have all their handmade creations ready, Joy and Robyn make their way to Bunnings in either Belrose, Chatswood or Artarmon and rotate for six weeks to give members of the public an opportunity to purchase their items and raise money for Bear Cottage.

The pair also sell raffle tickets to raise more money with prizes ranging from a patchwork quilt, esky and Bunnings voucher and so much more!

“We do that every six weeks, and we have a little break in between before we come back with more handmade creations,” Robyn said.

Since Joy joined her sister, together they raised a magnificent $139,840 which has gone a long way for children and their families at Bear Cottage.

“Knowing that we’re making a difference and seeing children’s smiling faces makes us incredible happy,” Joy said.

“All the money raised goes into a special account which is then given to the parents or siblings of children at the hospice to treat them for a meal, Luna Park, or even the zoo.”

With Volunteer Week starting from May 15 to May 23, Joy and Robyn said they don’t do anything special but are instead made to feel special when they’re presented with awards from Evolve Housing at their Volunteer Week celebrations.

“Evolve is really good to us and we love being a part of something that makes a difference,” Joy said.

“We hope to keep making a change in people’s lives for many years to come.”

Evolve Housing would like to thank all our volunteers for their valuable contributions to the community and business.

To find out more about Bear Cottage and to help make a difference, click here: bit.ly/bear-cottage-volunteers