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Thousands of volunteers helping kids out of disadvantage

Media releases

11 May 2015

The selfless generosity of more than 7,900 everyday Australians who donate their time and talent to support The Smith Family’s work has a lasting and life changing impact on the lives of thousands of children in need.

Last year, volunteers for the national children’s charity invested more than 463,000 hours, or 19,000 days, to help children succeed in their journey through school - from early childhood right through to tertiary study.

At the start of National Volunteer Week (11-17 May), The Smith Family CEO Dr Lisa O’Brien said volunteers were integral to the success of the organisation.

“Our volunteers join The Smith Family knowing they can help positively influence the direction of a child’s life,” Dr O’Brien said. “With their support, last year we were able to reach more than 134,000 disadvantaged children and families in 94 communities nationally.

“There is no doubt that this incredible donation of people’s time, which has an estimated value of $13.4 million, results in a significant boost for our work. Today, and every day, I extend my thanks to each of our volunteers who are devoting their time to help us support the children and families who need our help.”

Today, 1 in 10 Australian children are living in jobless families¹. By supporting a child through school, The Smith Family is able to improve their opportunities and outcomes in life. Volunteers support the organisation in a variety of ways, with more than half supporting the delivery of The Smith Family’s learning programs.

In addition, The Smith Family also has the tremendous support of more than 17,000 women that make up the VIEW Club network right around the country, who also volunteer and fundraise.

VIEW National President Robin Perros said: “VIEW is proud to be the single largest community sponsor of disadvantaged Australian children and contribute around 50,000 hours of volunteering time each year.

“We gain enormous satisfaction when engaging in volunteering for The Smith Family. It is so inspiring to see the change in children when they are given opportunities.”

Dr O’Brien said the theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week – Give Happy. Live Happy – was a true reflection of the benefits felt by The Smith Family’s volunteers.

“Being able to provide a supportive role to children and families in need is a great gift that I know is also highly rewarding for our volunteers,” she said.

Throughout National Volunteer Week, volunteer thank you activities will be held in many of the communities in which The Smith Family has a presence.

¹Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013. Labour force status and other characteristics of families, June 2012.

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