A cattle farmer and mother from the NSW northern tablelands knew first-hand just how tough things were for some rural families that she decided to create an online charity to help give back.
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Juliette Wright is the founder and director of online, not-for-profit charity GIVIT, which is this year celebrating a decade in operation.
GIVIT supports almost 2600 charities and community groups across the nation to access vital items for their clients.
In August 2018, the NSW Government announced GIVIT as a charity partner to coordinate drought relief donations and services. Ms Wright and her husband, Glen, run a cattle property at Ebor on the northern tablelands.
“As a mum I really feel the pain of someone who is unable to buy the essentials their children need for school,” she said.
“GIVIT has been able to help so many country kids across western NSW get back to school with the right uniforms, school bags and stationery items.”
A stands out memory for Ms Wright was when GIVIT’s NSW Drought Manager Scott Barrett delivered items to a school in the far west, where a Year 5 girl commented 'It’s really nice to know that someone I have never met is thinking about me.’
“That’s exactly what GIVIT is all about, helping someone you don’t know and will never meet,” Ms Wright said.
The charity’s goal for 2019 is continue growing and supporting more charities in getting what they need for clients, particularly in drought affected areas of NSW.
As a charity partner of the NSW Government, GIVIT was able to appoint Mr Barrett as GIVIT’s NSW Drought manager.
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Mr Barrett travels across the state, visiting places such as Nyngan, Coonamble, Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Ivanhoe, Cobar, Gulargambone.
In six months, Scott has made some real contributions to support farmers, families and communities, Ms Wright said.
“He recently signed the 100th charity working in NSW’s drought-affected communities and they are now all receiving support from GIVIT," she said.
“We will continue to provide what is most needed by rural communities in their long recovery from this unprecedented drought.”
GIVIT has a firm policy of buying locally to ensure they are supporting local businesses who may also be struggling in the drought, Ms Wright said.
“We acknowledge whole communities are hurting. It is vital to buy what is needed from local traders and not bring in truckloads of donated goods. We believe donations should do not harm,” she said.
Another milestone for the charity is rolling out GIVIT’s National Indigenous Support Program, which is funded by the Federal Government.
The program aims to support all non-profits working with Indigenous Australians to obtain essential items to improve health and well-being outcomes
“I am also excited about the launch late this month of GIVIT Schools, a way to promote philanthropy among children,” Ms Wright said.
“The goal is to have a platform to foster the next generation of generous givers.”