No matter what you are doing, everyday or once in a lifetime, big or small, public or private, there are loads of simple ways to include an itinerary of social kindness into your world. This is what my blog charityspam is all about.
I heard about a blogging competition, to write a post about my top travel tips. This post is my number one top tip on how to pack a bit of kindness into your suitcase.
A very simple way, with little effort, is to reserve a a small space in your suitcase which can make a big difference to the people in the places you are travelling to.
Pack For a Purpose is a fantastic international charity who help inspire travellers to make meaningful contributions to the destinations they visit. They co-ordinate accommodation providers, local communities and not-for-profits to all work together. Pack for a Purpose list hundreds of destinations in Africa, South America, Central America, Asia, Europe, Middle East and more. A small allocation of space can make a lasting difference to those who don’t have much. For example, within a spare two kilos in your luggage allowance, you can pack 400 pencils, 5 deflated soccer balls, a stethoscope or 500 bandaids. Drop your goodies off at your accommodation (that supports PfaP) and the rest is taken care of, it is that easy.
This mentality can also be applied locally. My next trip doesn’t involve jumping on a plane, I will be driving one hour to attend my very first ProBlogger Event on the Gold Coast. So I’m putting the Pack For a Purpose mantra into action to benefit a local Gold Coast group that is helping women who are homeless.
Last week, I blogged about an Australia-wide movement of organisations who collect sanitary items for women experiencing homelessness, and I discovered that there is one based on the Gold Coast. Did you know that tonight, 20,000 people in the “Sunshine State” are homeless? And let me tell you, the sunshine state is not so sunny right now.
Gold Coast Secret Women’s Business are a group dedicated to collecting and donating feminine hygiene products for homeless women on the Gold Coast. They are based at 45 Nerang Street in Southport, an old ambulance station next to council chambers. The items collected are then donated to either Rosies, Still Waters Refuge or Angels Kitchen.
So my newly formed goal, yes, as of right now, is to collect 2,500 sanitary items within the next three weeks to donate to them.
To do this, I am REALLY going to need your help.
Here are six easy ways to help:
- Buy an extra box of tampons or pads next time you are at the supermarket and send to me (or send direct to Gold Coast Secret Women’s Business if that is easier)
- Share this post on your facebook – here is the URL
- Forward this blog to your friends
- Start a collection among your friends
- Connect with a local organisation helping women in this way in your area
- Like Gold Coast Secret Women’s Business, Rosies Queensland, Pack For A Purpose on facebook
GREAT NEWS! There are two new drop off locations for your donations in Brisbane, so if you would like to donate, and these businesses are near by, please drop in! Thank you Leisa and Kerry! Please note that this collection will end on Thursday 13th August 2015.
Leisa Gill from Astute Financial Central Brisbane – 66 Warry Street Fortitude Valley
Kerry Ferschmann from Time Out For You – 156 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove
Or if you are a blogger, attending next month’s Pro Blogger conference, why not Pack For a Purpose, bring your goodies to the conference, come and find me and I will deliver for you!
So c’mon Pro Blogger attendees – would you like to wrap some social kindness into your conference? I hope so!
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I have written this blog post as my entry in the Blog. Share. Inspire. Virgin Australia / ProBlogger competition – I hope you like it….and donate some tampons.
charityspam 
Some great tips and info. here Tara, love your blog. Jane x
Thanks so much Jane!
I’ve just stocked up on “feminine hygene” products at Costco so will definitely give you a few boxes. Awesome idea. I’ve never heard of Pack for a Purpose but will definitely do this on future trips. Thanks Tara. Fab ideas as always xx
Thanks Mel! The collection has officially now started thanks to you!
Thanks so much Mel! Here’s hoping the whole PB Events crowd get behind it! X tara
Thanks Mel for giving Pack for a Purpose such a great shout out! Even better, try to make a match between a local accommodation or tour company and Rosies, Still Waters Refuge or Angels Kitchen. Then we can create our first place in Australia and they can support one or all of those projects. !:) We have a “buy local box” for places where that is possible that we could include on their page. This could be a big win all around. Let me know your thoughts.
With warm regards and appreciation,
Rebecca Rothney
Founder and Chairperson pack for a Purpose
Hi Rebecca, I am so glad you like the post on charityspam! I have been a massive fan of PfaP for many years, I love what you do! When I deliver my 2500 tampons to the girls at Gold Coast Secret Women’s Business I will tell them to get in touch with you! In the meantime, I hope I have inspired some Aussies to pack for a purpose next trip. I have already heard that three people are to South America, Fiji and Africa! Keep up the very inspiring work! Kind regards, Tara
I will definitely bring some extras to ProBlogger! Love your take on this challenge. Good luck, and see you next month.
Awe thank you SO much Emily for wanting to be part of this! I am hopeful that we will smash my 2500 target. Really grateful for your support – look forward to meeting you next month! Cheers, Tara
Count me in to bring some things to ProBlogger.
BRILLIANT! Thank you so much!
I love the idea of the pack for a purpose – so easy to do. See you at PB!
Thank you so much Malinda! You are very kind to be part of this – thank you so much! Yes, I look forward to meeting you tomorrow sometime at PB! Cheers, Tara
Very interesting blog post!! I’d love to be involved. I’ll bring some packets to the PBEvent 🙂
Thank you SO much Sia – that is very lovely of you! The current tally is 3186, which is fabulous! I look forward to meeting you tomorrow sometime at PB! Apparently there is a social good table, so I will go and hang out there for a bit. Cheers, Tara
I will be the one pushing a pram with a 12 week old baby. If you see me please introduce yourself.
I certainly will Sia! Cheers, Tara