Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Giving the gift of time in Collingwood
05 March 2014
For 15 years Joan McDermid has been coming into The Smith Family’s Victorian headquarters, lending a hand to help young people break the cycle of disadvantage and create better futures for themselves.
The spritely octogenarian from North Fitzroy remembers when The Smith Family was a welfare organisation, and it was Joan’s job to issue free clothing and distribute financial (and quite often, emotional) support.
“There was a steady stream of people daily,” Joan remembers. “They were always met by cheerful staff and willing volunteers and it was obvious that The Smith Family was an important part of the daily life in the area.”
The Smith Family now operates as one of Australia’s largest education-oriented charities, supporting young people and their families throughout their schooling years.
“Volunteers like Joan make an extraordinary contribution by providing sophisticated administration support to the delivery of The Smith Family’s programs,” said Mr Anton Leschen, The Smith Family’s Victorian General Manager.
“The assistance Joan and all our volunteers provide is equivalent to 18 full-time employees. Their efforts are truly remarkable.”
“In 2012, 7,745 volunteers gave over 417,603 hours of support to The Smith Family nationally. This was valued at $12.2million. It’s an astounding figure of generosity.”
In 2012-13 the organisation reached over 6,500 young Victorians through its suite of learning and mentoring programs, as well as by providing financial sponsorship to help pay for educational expenses, such as books, stationary and school uniforms.
The work of the volunteers may have changed but the need hasn’t and, as 2014 hits its stride, The Smith Family is calling on the local community to give the gift of time and assist with the administrative arm of the charity’s Victorian headquarters.
For Joan, who recently celebrated 15 years of volunteering for The Smith Family, giving the gift of time is simply what she does, and the rewards are endless.
“It is a privilege to be a volunteer,” Joan says. “Lasting friendships are made. You’re appreciated always, and most of all you know you are being useful. The past 15 years at The Smith Family have flown and I sincerely hope I can continue for a little while longer.”
The spritely octogenarian from North Fitzroy remembers when The Smith Family was a welfare organisation, and it was Joan’s job to issue free clothing and distribute financial (and quite often, emotional) support.
“There was a steady stream of people daily,” Joan remembers. “They were always met by cheerful staff and willing volunteers and it was obvious that The Smith Family was an important part of the daily life in the area.”
The Smith Family now operates as one of Australia’s largest education-oriented charities, supporting young people and their families throughout their schooling years.
“Volunteers like Joan make an extraordinary contribution by providing sophisticated administration support to the delivery of The Smith Family’s programs,” said Mr Anton Leschen, The Smith Family’s Victorian General Manager.
“The assistance Joan and all our volunteers provide is equivalent to 18 full-time employees. Their efforts are truly remarkable.”
“In 2012, 7,745 volunteers gave over 417,603 hours of support to The Smith Family nationally. This was valued at $12.2million. It’s an astounding figure of generosity.”
In 2012-13 the organisation reached over 6,500 young Victorians through its suite of learning and mentoring programs, as well as by providing financial sponsorship to help pay for educational expenses, such as books, stationary and school uniforms.
The work of the volunteers may have changed but the need hasn’t and, as 2014 hits its stride, The Smith Family is calling on the local community to give the gift of time and assist with the administrative arm of the charity’s Victorian headquarters.
For Joan, who recently celebrated 15 years of volunteering for The Smith Family, giving the gift of time is simply what she does, and the rewards are endless.
“It is a privilege to be a volunteer,” Joan says. “Lasting friendships are made. You’re appreciated always, and most of all you know you are being useful. The past 15 years at The Smith Family have flown and I sincerely hope I can continue for a little while longer.”
Media contacts:
Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au
The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au