Coast Shelter has received goods and services valued at over $100,000 from the TOGA Group of businesses and Grace Group.
It all began with a contact from TOGA, which was refurbishing one of its Adina Hotels in Sydney.
TOGA Director of Corporate Responsibility, Michelle Fischl, said the group wanted to repurpose as many furniture and operational items as possible to avoid them going into landfill.
Looking for a sustainable solution, TOGA donated assorted furniture items for use by Coast Shelter, with Grace stepping in, to volunteer to deliver the goods.
The Grace Group delivered furniture from 42 apartments to the Central Coast charity’s main centre in Gosford.
Grace Group Marketing Co-ordinator, Nichole Muratore, said: “We felt this was something we needed to be involved with”.
Coast Shelter CEO, Michael Starr, said the goods would be used to help people transitioning from the charity’s emergency accommodation into mainstream housing, as well as helping to furnish some of the emergency accommodation venues.
“It’s just been overwhelming to see the volume and the quality of goods donated to us,” he said.
“Often, when seeking refuge from a domestic or family violence situation, you do not take any furniture or kitchen items with you.
“These items will be invaluable as we help people transition into their own accommodation.”
TOGA’s donation includes lounges, dining tables and chairs, fridges, kitchen goods, bedside tables, study desks, lamps, mirrors, wall art and outdoor settings.
“This is a very significant donation and we are very thankful.”
Coast Shelter’s social enterprise, Coasties on the Move, will organise the allocation of the furniture.
Terry Collins