Like many FIRE bloggers, Poopsie and I are interested in giving back to our community.
We realise how fortunate we are to be in a position to pursue FIRE, and we’re always conscious of doing our bit to help others.
While we recognise the need to help those less fortunate than us on an international scale, we do attempt to keep a lot of our giving local. Just like we prefer to buy local when we can, we prefer to support local charities and people as well. One of the local charities we like to support is Share the Dignity.
Share the Dignity was founded by Rochelle Courtenay in 2015.
Share the Dignity do a number of programs and fundraising efforts throughout the year. You may remember, back in August, we donated money to their fundraising drive.
One of their more popular fundraising efforts is the It’s in the Bag campaign. This is held each year in the run up to Christmas. They ask that you fill a handbag (new or used) with sanitary products and female toiletries such as shampoo, soap and deodorant.
Share the Dignity get the assistance of local businesses, setting up drop off points. All you have to do is fill your bag and drop it off at a collection point. They will then distribute it to a homeless or at-risk woman on your behalf, right before Christmas.
Share the Dignity is a wonderful charity, one we are so keen to support. I discovered them right after their It’s in the Bag campaign ended, just before Christmas 2016. Knowing I wanted to become involved, I called on my sister, sister-in-law, mother and grandmother, asking if they had any bags they were able to spare. I was given three brand new handbags and one gently used handbag.
Throughout the past year, as part of our regular grocery shopping, I have been building up the supplies needed to fill the bags. Quite often, I would purchase these items when they were on sale. I also hoarded samples from cosmetic companies and some small travel toiletries I got when staying in hotels.
By the beginning of November, I had enough items to fill all four bags. Not every bag held exactly the same items, as I didn’t have four of most of the samples and cosmetics I sourced. However, every bag had sanitary items, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush.
I packaged these up into their bags and visited a local collection point to drop them off, easy to find on the great page on their website.
I hope that this small effort on my part makes an enormous difference to the lives of four Australian women.
Share the Dignity is definitely a charity I will continue to support. Once retired, I will certainly aim to become more involved, maybe even one day being able to assist them on their Board. Rochelle has a wonderful organisation and is making a lasting impact on Australian women.
If you can spare a few dollars a week in your weekly grocery shop, please consider stocking up on items and participating in 2018’s It’s in the Bag. Or, if you’re so inclined, stock up immediately as there is still time this year. Collection closes on the 2nd of December!
I tried to donate to a collection point at work during the year, but didn’t realise they were time-limited, so I missed out. Knowing that this campaign runs yearly, I can copy your method of slowly stocking up. Keeping all the free samples and hotel toiletries is a great idea as well. I usually say no to free samples, or put them in the charity box. This creates a purpose for saying yes. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you’re going to contribute next year, Mrs ETT! It’s an amazing cause.
A great charity! I have a friend who does this each year as well and asks all of us girls to add in any extra we have. I’ve always got samples, hotel toiletries or other things I’ve collected throughout the year as well. I’m glad they can go to those in need.
That’s awesome of your friend. I think they ended up collecting 100 000 bags this year which is so amazing!
I also learned about this a bit late and like Mrs. ETT, I missed out. Definitely doing it in 2018. Thanks for sharing and spreading this good cause. I hope many more of us give next year. 🙂
I definitely encourage you to give to Share the Dignity if you can, they’re awesome!