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Whilst I was working (pre kids) a lady I worked with and I decided to volunteer our time helping the Vinnie’s Van. We called the St Vincent de Paul office in Merrylands and found out we were required to do a 2 day training course, held in their offices. So off we went and completed our training. The subject that really impacted on me was the “suicide” component. I couldn’t believe how many lost souls felt that was the only option in their darkest days, and on top of that the highest rate was men in the outback due to the struggles farmers face on our Australian land. I was saddened by this fact.
So, after completing the training we had our first rostered night out. We travelled to Merrylands, made sandwiches to hand out, packed the van with all necessary supplies and away we went – with 4 others we hadn’t met before – we got to know them really well as they were our team for all our rostered nights. We arrived at our first stop Penrith, I couldn’t believe how many people turned up to have a chat and see a friendly face and the gratitude they showed us for sharing our time with them, It was overwhelming. After we packed up, our next stop was Parramatta. What a different group of people we encountered there!
Now these were real “homeless” people but still humans, who just like us wanted validation that they meant something to anyone and the fact that we showed up to chat WITH them was amazing to know I could give a small piece of me to them and have it appreciated meant the world to me. BUT, they gave me something in return, humility – I guess without them even knowing.
I loved the nights I spent in the Van, the volunteers with us were wonderful people. There was one person I remember vividly who came to our Penrith stop, Ron was his name, he was the sweetest man. What I remember the most about him was his shock when I knew how he had his Milo. I guess he couldn’t believe that someone took an interest in a tiny detail about HIM and the way he liked his Milo white with 1 sugar.
This is why I really wanted to do our fundraiser for Vinnie’s Van, I have experienced the wonderful service they provide and I know first hand that it is run purely by volunteers 365 days of the year and all their supplies are donated.
With this movie night, I know we can help make more of a difference in people lives. Rachel has a lot going on at the moment so our great friend Amanda will be helping organise and run this event. So get your tickets today and help us drive the van!!!
Jess
Jess here:
What a fantastic night our 3rd Charity Night was!! We raised a whopping $672.00 for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) at our special screening of Breaking Dawn Part 1 held at Hoyts Penrith. The money has already been donated to the Foundation. There was such a buzz before the doors to the cinema opened with the sound of the goody bags being opened and rummaged through, there was a lot to look at. We would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors who donated samples of their products for us to use in the goody bags. They were a hit!!!
This event had the best raffle prizes by far, 2x $198 Hopewood Day Spa Vouchers, a MASSIVE Greens hamper and more. The winners of all the prizes were so happy to win them. So once again we couldn’t have done it without our wonderful supporting companies.
Our next night will be in February – featuring “The Vow” staring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum. More details will be posted on this site shortly. We will be running an EARLY BIRD prize aswell for those of you who purchase your tickets prior to a date (TBA)… Till next time.. Jess 
How would you like to win an autographed photo of ROBERT PATTINSON and a CADBURY CHOCOLATES Gift Basket?
Purchase your Breaking Dawn Charity Movie Event tickets before 12th November 2011 and you will go into the draw to win this fantastic prize!
If you have already purchased your tickets you will automatically be entered in the draw to win.
RANDOM.ORG has been used to draw the winner, CONGRATULATIONS:
WINNER: S. Springett - Order # 32
Terms and Conditions
Bank Deposit payments must reach me by 6pm on the 12th November 2011 to qualify for the draw.
The competition will be drawn on the 12th November after 6pm and the winner will be announced on the website and on our Facebook page.
The prize can be collected by the winner on the night of the movie event.
After our movie event - ”The Help” - to raise funds for Tresillian we had a total of $715.00 to donate to Tresillian. So we owe a big thank you to all our guests who attended the night, all our supporters who purchased raffle tickets and a BIGGER thank you to all the wonderful companies who kindly donated prizes for the raffle as well as samples for the goody bags.
Rachel and Jessica with Tresillian Nepean Centre Manager Leanne Daggar
With the help and guidance from Leanne Daggar, Centre Manager for Tresillian Nepean, we were informed that the Nepean Centre desperately needed portable DVD players.
Some of the 7" portable DVD's that were donated to Tresillian Nepean
Rachel and I contacted Dick Smith and they gave us 12 x 7″ players at an extremely discounted rate… so Thank you Dick Smith. We had a little left over so we have purchased a few items to make the parents stay at Tresillian a little more like home.
The night was a great success and we are so grateful to you all for your contribution to a wonderful cause.
Our next night is on the 28th November at Hoyts Penrith to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).. the movie is Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part 1. Purchase your tickets here. The goody bag will be FILLED with awesome samples. You don’t want to miss out! But if you can’t make it please purchase raffle tickets here, check out the list of awesome prizes. Rachel and I hope to see you there.
Jess
Breaking Dawn Part 1 Theme song
The official music video for Bruno Mars’ new single “It Will Rain” from Breaking Dawn Part 1 will be unleashed on Wednesday 26th October… Never before seen clips from the movie will feature in the music video.
Listen to “It Will Rain” Here
