The ACF and Charity

by Martin MacInnes: ACF South Queensland Director

Does charity begin at home? Or does it come from the heart?

Why do we volunteer our time and services - is it to do something good? Have fun? Add it to our resumé? Help to empower ourselves and others? Be a good role model?

For me, I get inspired by helping others, gaining new experiences, learning something new.

I find it relaxing and energising and it stirs me to renew my creativity and motivation.

Whether we make a conscious choice to be charitable, or just see it as helping people, it’s important to remember everyone needs a lift at some time in their lives. Even if it’s just a kind word said to someone, or giving someone living on the street a hot coffee to keep them warm on a cold day, we all need a little charity.

Most people see charity as a handout. They might give money to charities like Australian Red Cross, The Smith Family, WIRES wildlife rescue, World Vision Australia, Médecins Sans Frontières Australia, Police Citizens Youth Clubs, the Rural Fire Service or The Salvation Army Australia.

They don’t see the side I like to see, which is volunteering my time to help the charity save the hard earned donated money and make sure it’s all going to the people who need it, and giving something back to people who need it more than I do.

Here in South Queensland we have put on events for RUOK, Black Dog institute, Canteen – we’ve just had a breakfast to promote the great work done by Bob McMillan from Foodbank and James Fien from FARESHARE Rescue. Cook. Feed. They both do a fantastic job in the local community and beyond.

The same thing happens in other ACF regions; for example Director Stephen Lunn in Tasmania has put on events for The Cancer Foundation, Variety Club Australia and Cancer Council.

In the Northern Territory Director Martin Boucher has held events for Variety Club NT, Foodladder and the RSPCA, with more to come.

In New South Wales/ACT Director Julio Azzarello works in conjunction with St Johns Church Darlinghurst and also helps out ROUGHIES to support rough sleepers and homeless persons in the Darlinghurst area.

In North Queensland Director Allan Beggs has put on some famous events for local charities.  

The other states have their nominated charities and every year they donate dinners, time and funds for them.

In the future we in ACF South Queensland are planning a dinner for the volunteers of Foodbank and FARESHARE, with a little help from a few local sponsors (PFD, Comcater, TAFE Queensland, GMN Vegie Prep and Infruit, and Commercial Kitchen management). And I personally want to do more with Fareshare in the future through the Young Chefs Club.

We all seem to do a bit for local charities, which I think is a fantastic effort from all regions. Can we do more? I think so. Can we do better? I think so.

So does charity begin at home – or is it from the heart?