Northern Rivers for Refugees launched our major fundraising drive, Cup of Kindness, at our recent 10-year celebration at the start of Refugee Week.
Nearly 90 people attended the event at the Brunswick Heads Memorial Hall. And once again it was our wonderful volunteers who stepped up to make it happen.
Rachel Bracken did a great job as MC and the generous Smokey Fields and the Dead Legends band again provided the entertainment.
Volunteers Coordinator Ollie Heathwood launched the Cup of Kindness campaign, which asks people to donate the equivalent of a cup of coffee each week. All proceeds go to helping refugee families start a new life in the Northern Rivers.
“Every small act of kindness makes a difference in helping a troubled world to be a better world,” said Ms Heathwood.
To find out more and to start a donation:
The 10-year celebration started with an awareness-raising walk along the beach at Brunswick Heads before the fun kicked off at the hall.
Guests of honour included original committee members who started the whole thing off in 2015. Also present was a representative of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, Blaise Itabelo, National Manager – Community Partnerships & Engagement.
Mr Itabelo took part in a Q&A panel, and praised the generosity and welcoming ethos of the region.
The afternoon raised $271 in donations at the event and $145 in Humanitix donations. NRFR has helped settle 42 people in the region over the past few years, and welcomes new families every year.
It costs about $20,000 to host a family for 12 months.
