The Big Give - A Big Thanks

As many of you would be aware, this year we decided to do something a bit different for our Christmas Day's and volunteer our services to help run The Big Give.

As a quick recap, The Big Give is an annual event run on Christmas Day, with the aim of providing a festive meal to around 350 homeless and disadvantaged people in inner city Melbourne. You can read more about it by following these posts.

A formal thank you to all those involved will be issued in mid-Feb after the committee has finished their de-brief. Until then, I wanted to provide you with a quick update on how it all went.

Firstly, most unlike me, I didn't take photos on the day! Anyone who knows me will know how unlike me that is. Well, technically, I did take one, snapped very quickly on my iPhone during a break in the set up, but it really doesn't count!!

While it's not my normal, detailed and focussed shot, it actually captures the day from my perspective pretty well! It was busy, hot, chaotic, busy and exhausting. It was also fun, exciting, loud, festive and strangely fulfilling. 

From this shot you can see that we had lots of volunteers, from very early in the morning. Even though I had left my own family very early in the morning, after rushing through the presents with my daughter; it was fabulous to arrive to a venue full of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers, ready to hang stars, set tables, move chairs, sort presents... the list goes on!

We had over 350 people through the doors for lunch. We were able to feed every one of them a two course meal and give them all a gift. We sang carols, we did trivia, we played games. We smiled and we laughed. We watched the children receive a gift from our fabulous Santa and then watch their little eyes widen with excitement as they realised they got to keep it and take it home. 

So, thanks to EVERYONE who helped us make all this happen. Whether it was crafting paper stars, decorating divine cupcakes, donating Christmas trees, presents and countless other goods (and cash!) from generous personal and corporate sponsorships; or just providing us with a glass of champers at the end of the day; we thank you, the committee thanks you and most importantly, the guests thank you. 

Cheers,

Welcome back for 2011

Welcome back everyone! We have enjoyed a lovely break over the festive season, with both of us heading away for a couple of weeks; Alex to SA and I headed over to Tas. It was fabulous to stop for a bit, relax, spend some quality time with our families and take stock of the year that was 2010 - and we are now super excited to be back and bringing you all things Inspired for the new year.

Over the next week or so, we will share with you how The Big Give went and also share a super event we did in December, but ran out of time to share with you all. We are also busy prepping for my daughters 6th birthday in early Feb, along with some divine client occasions, which we can't wait to share.

But, before we get into all that, we just wanted join everyone in expressing our sadness at the devastation we have seen unfold over the past two weeks in QLD, NSW and even closer to home in parts of Victoria. While the floods and the associated damage (material, human and financial) is horrendous; I am so, so proud to be an Australian when I see how everyone is pulling together, providing support and cleaning up, while these communities tackle the enormous task of rebuilding.

On a personal level, we have contributed both financially and sending up care parcels - and we would encourage you, if you are able, to do the same. There has been a fabulous round up of all the opportunities to bid on charity auctions over here at Bondville - Shop The Flood. We sent our care parcels to Haylie of Little Miss Fascinated, who is running a donation and distribution centre (her facebook page contains all the details).

One that is not included in this list, has been organised by the girls at Fairy Floss Markets - you can check it out here. It's only just opened tonight, so get in quick and grab a bargain for a great cause.

Cheers,

The Big Give - The kindness of strangers

Well, it's one more sleep until the big man in red arrives in homes across the world. For us, it's also one more sleep until we have the privilege of enjoying our Christmas meal with 300 guests and 105 volunteers at The Big Give (you can read about it here, here, here and here).

It's been an amazing last week at Big Give headquarters, with some lows as suppliers haven't been able to come through, but many more highs when others have stepped in and outshone our expectations with their generosity and kindness.

We will have a huge list of thank you's to share with you after Christmas, but for now, I just wanted to share with you what was delivered to my house this morning.....

These were generously made by Kayla at Sweet Statements for the children attending The Big Give. We have worked with Kayla before, she made the fabulous Masquerade cake back in October for us. We have both also worked with Kayla in our other lives in the Corporate world. She is a super clever and delightful lady and we can't wait until she officially launches Sweet Statements in 2011.

Anyway, from our families to yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with friends, family, laughter and love - we know our's will be! We will be taking a short break after Christmas - but will be back in 2011 with lots of exciting things to share and inspire you all.

Cheers,

The Big Give - Some early Thanks

Well, the count down is really on now! I am sure I have said that (or something similar!!) before in other posts relating to The Big Give (here, here and possibly here), but now that the calendar has flicked over, and the little app at the bottom of my screen says DEC 2, we are starting to feel the excitement building!

We had a workshop today with our fabulous committee and are really pleased to be able to pass on some thank you's to the companies, individuals and families who have put up their hands to help out. So without further ado - some BIG thank you's.......

We have been able to secure a venue (thanks City of Yarra); we have chicken to roast (thanks Baiada Poultry); fresh fruit & veg (thanks Bungle Trading); yummy cupcakes (thanks Sweet Statements) and an amazing MC to host us (thanks BPCA). 

We will have presents for all of the kids attending (thanks St Bede's Primary School), a real Christmas tree (thanks Sage Building Services) and almost 100 volunteers to serve our 300+ guests on the day (thank you x 100!). We have even put a call in to Santa, who will be making a very special appearance this year!

Our partner organisations have also been very generous with their donations and we can now finalize the remaining items required for our Christmas table - ham, beef, plum pudding and custard, and of course, bon bons (big thank you to Our HR Company, Gour family, 4ward Consulting, CBA, Growhard Australia and St Vinnies Parkville). 

We also have some fabulous ladies working hard to create some wonderful decorations for the venue, which will add a wonderfully festive feel to the day.

So, as you can tell, it's all coming together!

We do have a final request... we really need your help to provide each of our adult guests with a gift. 

This year, we have decided to give each adult guest attending a $30 Safeway or Coles voucher - so that they can make their own choice about selection of grocery items. Hampers and gift packs are certainly lovely, but what our guests really value is the ability to choose items that they need from the supermarket.

When you next head to the supermarket to do your weekly grocery shopping, we would like to ask you to consider adding a $30 supermarket gift voucher to your list. If you are able to do this, please post your voucher to:

The Big Give 
St Mary's House of Welcome 165 - 169 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

We are also still accepting tax deductible cash donations via PayPal here if you would prefer this. Either way - we would love your support, in any way that you can.

Thank you all again for your kindness, generosity, support and kind wishes. We will give you all another update next week (after our volunteer information session, which we are really looking forward to). 

Cheers,

Renee and Alex

The Big Give... 4 weeks to go!

Today marks the count down for The Big Give, with only 4 weeks until the big day! While one part of me is slightly worried, mainly due to my own lack of Christmas shopping (!), the other part of me is super excited that we will be part of such an exciting event.

Last night was the first of two volunteer nights and the dedication and enthusiasm in the room was magic. We will be coordinating nearly 100 volunteers on the day and will be spending a good part of the next week working out where best they can assist on the day.

We are also pleased to let you know that we have had some really generous individuals and businesses step forward and volunteer goods, services and cash. Thanks to these fabulous donations, we are now able to tick some of the most important things off our list including; a venue, tables, chairs, most tableware, a Christmas tree, chickens, fresh fruit and vegetables, gifts for the children and an amazing MC.

There are still a few things on our wish list... maybe you can help us out?

- 30 large plastic table cloths
- 350 large plastic plates
- ham/beef
- grocery gift cards for adult gifts ($30 value - Coles, Woolworths etc.)
- art & craft supplies for our children's activity area

If you happen to be based in Melbourne, we also have some paper decorations being made by a fabulous group of mums. If you have an hour or two to spare and would like to make some decorations - please let us know and we will send you the details.

Thanks to everyone for your offers of support and sponsorship. Every little bit helps with an event such as this! All of these little (and not so little) donations mean that Christmas will be that little bit more special for those who can't do this on their own.

Cheers,

The Big Give...No-one should have to spend Christmas alone

Last week we told you all how we were planning to spend our Christmas day this year, managing The Big Give...you can read all about it here.


Since then, we have been busy contacting businesses far and wide, large and small, asking them to help out wherever they can. And you know what? We are SO impressed with the community spirit out there. We have had so many businesses and individuals reach into their hearts (and wallets) and meet our challenge to help.

We are super excited to announce that already, we now have enough fresh fruit, vegetables, chickens and cupcakes (by Sweet Statements), to have the beginnings of a fabulous meal.

Lombards Moorabin - a party supply company has also put forward a carton of napkins and cups, which is very generous of them (however we still need plates!).

Maybe most exciting (well, to me anyway!), thanks to Sage Building Services, has been the promise of a HUGE Christmas tree!

Do you think I can get one this BIG?!

We are so grateful to these businesses, however this is just the beginning! We are still looking for donations of so many other things...these include; tree decorations, craft supplies for the children's area and small gifts and/or books for kids. Small items for raffles throughout the day are also being sought. More food items - including condiments and bread will make our meal more complete.


We are also desperately seeking a photographer and some entertainment. A choir, a band, a comedian, a clown, a face painter, a person with their guitar - we really won't be picky!! These will only be required for an hour or two, but will help us capture the special day, and add a fabulous festive touch.



Maybe you can help? Or maybe, you know someone who can? If you are interested, please email us and we will send you our sponsor pack.

The Big Give is also accepting financial donations - which can be made here. All donations above $2 are tax deductible and receipt will be provided.

We will be giving you a weekly update on this very special event as it comes closer. And thank you all for your kind words, offers to help and support as we pull this enormous special event together.

No-one should have to spend Christmas alone.

The Big Give - how can you help?

It’s the time of the year when our thoughts naturally turn to Christmas and the festive time ahead. The stores are filling with decorations and soon carols will be heard in every shopping centre. It’s a time where we naturally reflect on Christmases past and look forward to what this year will bring.

As a child, my favourite Christmases were those where the whole family was packed around Grandma's big table. Pulling bon bons, wearing silly hats and telling dumb jokes. Eating too much and still having left-overs. My uncle always asking, "so Nay, what's the goss" and all the kids laughing because it sounded so silly!

Now I have my own family and we have all grown up, things are different - but still the so much the same. Family, friends and lots of good food. My uncle still asks "so Nay, what's the goss?' and I still laugh.

I can't be certain, but I would guess you could relate to my Christmases... some things will be different, sure... but I bet the core elements- the food, the family and the friends - are the same. Because really, that's what special Christmases are made of, aren't they?

Last Christmas - Gracie and I

As a parent, I can't imagine the desperation, the heartache of knowing I couldn't make Christmas special for my family. And it's not the toys, the gifts - it's the family and the friends. Having someone care and want to spend time chatting and asking me "what's the goss?". Having enough food to have eaten too much and still have left overs.

This year, we will be adding something new to our family Christmas memories, as we spend the day with those less fortunate. We will be extending our circle and enjoying a very big table, hopefully piled high with food and lots of laughter, as we work with St Mary’s House of Welcome and a dedicated team of volunteers in putting on The Big Give.

The Big Give has one aim - no one should be alone on Christmas Day.

This year, The Big Give will be hosting around 300 homeless and disadvantaged families for Christmas lunch at the Fitzroy Town Hall. Now in it's 7th year, The Big Give has become something of a Melbourne institution. It relies heavily on generous donations and volunteers to ensure this event is a special one for all the guests.

So, we are asking, can you afford to share some of your skills or time to make Christmas special for people who may otherwise have to spend it alone? Details of specifics required are to come in later posts, but if you think you may be able to help we would urge you to contact us via email at: occasions@theinspiredoccasion.com.au