Deepdene/Balwyn and Camberwell Conferences

The St. Vincent de Paul Society’s annual Christmas Appeal, provides financial and material support for the needy and the disadvantaged in Melbourne and throughout the State.  Our work has been even more important this year, as the Covid-19 pandemic has caused additional difficulties for the jobless and the needy.

The Deepdene/Balwyn and Camberwell Conferences are involved in a range of outreach work, including home visits to the needy in the local parish areas and the suburbs of South and North Melbourne.  With the pandemic crisis this year, many people are coming to us for assistance.  For many, it is the first time they have sought help.  One of their major concerns is that if they do not regain employment within 2 years, they may never work again.

We predict that demand for our services will be significantly increased over the next few months.

In addition, some members volunteer at Vinnies Stores in Hawthorn and East Kew.  This year, the Covid-19 pandemic caused the temporary closure of many Vinnies Stores, causing an 80% drop in earnings in the past 3 months.  Also, we received only 30% of our normal donations at this year’s Winter Appeal.  This has reduced our ability to assist people in need.

In the past 12 months, the conferences have provided assistance to individuals and families as follows:

Deepdene/Balwyn Conference

 Camberwell Conference

This assistance has included supermarket gift vouchers, paying pharmacy bills, utility bills, and providing essential white-goods and furniture.  Most importantly, a key part of our work, which is often little recognised, is to lend a listening ear.

We have also provided $7,072 in total of assistance to 13 twin conferences in India, Myanmar and the Philippines as well as providing funding of $1,834 for a sustainable agriculture project.

The Founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Blessed Frederick Ozanam said “Yours must be the work of love, of kindness, you must give your time, your talents, yourselves.  The poor person is a unique person of God’s fashioning with an inalienable right to respect.”

It’s your compassion and support that makes our work possible.  Financial donations play a critical role in sustaining the society.  The annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal is the primary local fundraising activity of our Conferences.

All donations to our Christmas Appeal are gratefully appreciated.  Please download and complete the SVDP Donation Form for available options for making a donation and in particular the need to specifically make reference to your local Conference.

Terry Janes and Kevin Rogers

Presidents of Deepdene/Balwyn Conference and Camberwell Conference

Links:

SVDP Donation Form (download, complete and follow return instructions)

Christmas Appeal donate online

St Vincent de Paul Philanthropy Report 2019-2020