The Collingwood Football Club will next month attempt to raise $1million in a day to help alleviate Melbourne’s homelessness epidemic.
On Tuesday, August 6, the club will stage its inaugural Collingwood Cares Giving Day, with all funds raised through the one-day initiative put directly to Collingwood’s homelessness program, Magpie Nest.
Magpie Nest is a partnership between Collingwood and the Salvation Army that provides housing and mental and physical health services for the homeless. Support services for women and children affected by the trauma of domestic violence are also provided.
Magpie Nest currently operates 45 houses in Melbourne, with over 120 adults and children accommodated. Over 3000 meals are served at the Magpie Nest café each week. The Magpie Nest café is operated by the Salvation Army, with the support of Collingwood, as a refuge and is a first point of call for many of Melbourne’s homeless.
A recent report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates over 24,000 Victorians are homeless each night. It is estimated that almost 100 people are turned away every day from homelessness services due to a lack of housing and resources.
$1 million could house 54 more people for a year or enable the Salvation Army to employ a further ten Magpie Nest caseworkers.
Collingwood is aiming to raise $1 million through a matched-giving model that will see all donations quadrupled by a number of generous Collingwood corporate and community partners.
Collingwood’s CEO Mark Anderson said the appeal enables the club to make a real difference.
“This is a great opportunity to raise much needed funds for Magpie Nest,” Anderson said.
“Having a number of generous contributors already on board, the matched-donor model guarantees every donation, no matter how small, will significantly contribute to this program.
“As a club, we look forward in being able to make a genuine difference through the support of our fans.”
All donations to the Collingwood Cares Giving Day are tax deductible with 100 per cent of the proceeds going directly to Magpie Nest.
The impact a donation can have
- $5 provides a toasted sandwich and a coffee at the Magpie Nest Cafe
- $10 provides a hot three- course meal at the Magpie Nest Café
- $10 will provide a blanket for someone sleeping rough
- $20 provides a Magpie Nest emergency food and hygiene pack for people in crisis
- $50 supports a person for one night in the Magpie Nest Café overnight service
- $50 covers the cost of one night’s accommodation in a Magpie Nest house
- $100 cover the cost of a Salvation Army Caseworker, for one day
- $100,000 will cover the cost of a Salvation Army Caseworker for one year
The campaign will commence 8am, Tuesday August 6.
For pledges prior to the event and donations on the day, visit Collingwood’s community website.
Tonight, at 7.20pm, the MCG lights will be turned off and the huge crowd expected for the match between Collingwood and Richmond invited to reflect on the plight of those sleeping rough.
In the darkness, fans will be asked to turn on the torchlights on their mobile phones and shine a light on homelessness.
