Your Year To Volunteer

The Mackay VIEW Club is encouraging community members to volunteer during National Volunteer Week, supporting children’s education through The Smith Family by fundraising, mentoring and community activities. Photo source: Mackay View Club  

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Community members are being encouraged to step forward and make a difference as the Mackay VIEW Club joins the nationwide call for volunteers during National Volunteer Week (18th–24th May).

The club is inviting locals to support children’s education charity The Smith Family by giving their time and skills, helping create brighter futures for young Australians.

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VIEW — which stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women — is a leading women’s organisation with more than 13,000 members in close to 260 communities across Australia. Members are dedicated to supporting children in need through education by fundraising, raising awareness and volunteering with The Smith Family.

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme, “Your Year to Volunteer,” serves as a call to action for Australians to get involved in their communities and help create positive change.

Mackay VIEW Club President Elizabeth said the theme strongly reflects the organisation’s purpose and the work being carried out by members across the country.

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“We help The Smith Family make tremendous change by giving children the best start to life through a quality education.  

“Last year alone, the charity’s educational and mentoring programs reached over 186,499 children and young people across the country.

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“VIEW members’ generosity, compassion and commitment create life-changing opportunities for young Australians every day.  

“As we celebrate ‘Your Year to Volunteer’, we honour those already giving their time and talents and invite others to discover how volunteering can spark connection, purpose and a powerful sense of community.”

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Elizabeth said members support a range of important initiatives through their volunteering and fundraising efforts.

“We help raise funds for programs like student2student, which pairs younger children with reading buddies, we sponsor students through the Learning for Life program, so they are supported throughout their entire education, and members can volunteer at Learning Clubs, where children are given help with their homework after school.”

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Chief Executive Officer of The Smith Family, Doug Taylor, said the organisation’s work would not be possible without volunteers.

“Each year, thousands of volunteers play a vital role in our learning support and mentoring programs and provide invaluable in-house administration support, with the students and families we support being the ultimate beneficiaries.

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“We are very grateful to all VIEW members for continuing to donate their time and energy, especially during the last few years which have been disrupted by the pandemic, and now the cost-of-living crisis.”

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Members of Mackay VIEW Club support The Smith Family through a range of local activities including raffles and money boards, collecting Containers for Change, Christmas gift wrapping with ESA, market stalls, the Seniors Expo and monthly lunch meetings.

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Elizabeth said there are many ways for people in the community to become involved.

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“There are many opportunities for people to help out.

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“We are always looking for women to join us in supporting The Smith Family and we’d encourage anyone interested to get in touch and come along to our next meeting to learn more about VIEW.”

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Anyone interested in learning more about Mackay VIEW Club can contact Elizabeth on 0438 715 731, visit the VIEW website, or find the club on Facebook at VIEW Club – Mackay, Queensland.

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