Education plays a critical role in helping children achieve success in life. Without proper supplies or equipment, young children experiencing disadvantage often fail to reach their full potential at school and find transitioning to employment or further study challenging.
The Pine Rivers VIEW Club (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) sponsors underprivileged children by fundraising for The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. But instead of hosting large-scale events, they’ve adopted a successful ‘little and often’ fundraising strategy centred around fun and social connection for members. The club assists six students aged 10 to 18.
Nationally, VIEW clubs raise more than $1.3 million every year, sponsoring more than 1680 boys and girls through The Smith Family’s programs. Pine Rivers VIEW Club secretary Helen Young said a lack of funds forced many parents to choose between food, rent or school items.
“We sponsor our students throughout their school years for the ever-increasing fees for books, uniforms, devices and school camps,” Helen said.
Children referred to the program by schools or community organisations must show a commitment to attend school to receive assistance. The support can make a big difference to a child. One recipient represented Australia at the Paris Olympics in rhythmic gymnastics.
A Simple Yet Impactful Fundraising Model
In 2024, Pine Rivers VIEW sponsored three digital learning essentials packages – a refurbished laptop, home internet access and digital and tech support for students, simply by members meeting at club ‘coffee and chat’ mornings, luncheons and outings.
“Every time we get together, we pay a small amount of money, which, added to raffles, raises the funds to pay our student sponsorships and to give them a gift voucher each birthday and Christmas,” Helen said. “It is amazing how much we accumulate by doing little and often.
“As yet, we haven’t been behind in our fundraising targets. It is thousands we raise. People don’t feel they are putting their hand in their pocket when it is a small amount each time.”
The club is seeking new members to attend activities. Monthly lunches, usually with a guest speaker, are held on the third Wednesday of the month at Murrumba Downs Tavern.
For more information, contact Helen on 0417 639 800 or email pinerivers.view@gmail.com
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