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242 372ADRA & You – July
28 July, 2021
A Message from the CEO
For the last month, along with most of the south-east coast of Australia, my team has been working remotely. We know the lockdowns are challenging and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected.
Sadly, our neighbours in Fiji have been severely hit with a devastating outbreak of COVID-19. Our ADRA team on the ground is responding to help frontline workers as well as those whose livelihoods have been affected.
It is my hope that you are staying safe and well in these uncertain times. In 2020, we shared the below ways to serve your community during lockdown. I thought I would take this opportunity to share it again, so that we may be a blessing to others during this difficult time.
Despite the difficulties that COVID-19 presents, there is still so much happening both here in Australia and around the world. Below are some updates from the field. Thank you for your support to ensure our work continues during this challenging time.
Blessings,
Denison Grellmann
CEO, ADRA Australia & New Zealand
The Doorknock is Back!
To participate in the 2021 ADRA Appeal Doorknock in October, please register by completing this form before September 30. Funds raised will help thousands of people in Australia and around the world overcome hardship.
NOTE: subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
COVID-19 Response in Fiji
More than 1,000 families in Fiji have been assisted as part of our COVID-19 response. The latest outbreak of COVID-19 is threatening people’s health, as well as their livelihoods. ADRA is responding with food rations and financial assistance to communities who have been affected. To donate to our response, visit adra.org.au/disaster
NAIDOC Week 2021
From July 4-11, NAIDOC Week celebrations were held across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Find out how ADRA in Victoria celebrated here.
Op Shop Highlight
Like the rest of Australia, the ADRA Mitcham Op Shop has experienced difficulties with lockdowns. But the team remains positive and eager to serve their community.
“I am so delighted that we now have our own warehouse that is up and running,” says Marina Wirenski, the Op Shop Manager. Up until recently, the team had been using warehouses in Boronia and Nunawading.
Additionally, the team has been doing some renovations extending the shop! With some of the staff rooms not being used, the team is extending the shop to utilise more of the floor space.
“What a joy it is to work for such a worthy cause,” Marina says. “I work along side beautiful volunteers with a heart for people.”
Praise & Prayer
We believe in the power of prayer. This month, we invite you to bring the below points to God in praise and prayer.
- We welcomed our new Humanitarian Officer, Luke Webster, to our team. We praise God for his appointment and pray that his work is blessed.
- We think of the countries and areas that are still being affected by COVID-19. Please especially keep our ADRA teams who are on the ground responding in your prayers for safekeeping.
- NAIDOC Week celebrations took place in early July. We praise God for this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the traditional custodians of the land.
- We think of parts of Europe and China who have experienced severe flooding. Please pray for the health and safety of everyone affected.
In Case You Missed It
Carrum Downs Pathfindershelped to clean the outreach bus in Victoria! The bus provides free counselling, court support, emergency relief and referrals. Every Thursday from 6-9pm the bus is located at Westfield Fountain Gate and Fridays at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre.
ADRA Blacktown Community Care Centre is a part of the Grill’d Local Matters fundraiser in August. If you are in the Blacktown area, pop into Grill’d for a burger and put the token you receive into ADRA’s jar. The jar with the most tokens at the end of the month will receive a $300 donation.
The ADRA Monto Op Shop volunteers received a big ‘thank you’ in a special volunteer appreciation service. The volunteers also participated in a workshop to brainstorm where they would like to be in five years and how they can best serve their community. Thank you for your service!