We are so grateful to each and every person that has made this project a success again.  From the front line field volunteers that give of their time and finance to fund their trips (as they travel over muddy flooded roads in Qld -as was the case this year), to the volunteers that have helped in the office with wrapping, packing, sorting, sweeping the floor, cleaning the toilets and putting out the rubbish, to the wonderful ‘Pray-ers’ that faithfully keep this work before the Lord both in house and at home.  We also appreciate every sponsor and donor that has contributed both financially and with physical goods to make this project happen.

We also value each and every family that is allowing us into their lives throughout this nation.  Lives that we are aiming to see transformed.

Some words of Thanks….………

We again find ourselves humbled by your organisations kindness as always.  There seems to be a higher power in control of your visits as they seem to happen when we need a bit more moral support than usual.  Don’t get me wrong, we are well and doing well in almost every respect.  Just sometimes the external reasons to a life we consider to be next to perfect, leaves us more than we would like physically  and mentally drained.  We really do enjoy all the visits that you all have bestowed upon us and for that we are truly grateful.  You all restore a glimmer of hope inside of us that there are still people out there who really do not want to do you any harm but to bestow a little if not a lot of happiness.                               

Thankyou so much for the Christmas Treats!!  We arrived home after being rained out from trying to spray some weeds and thinking “Oh NO -the wet is happening again!!!”  Your treats help lift my spirits so we will enjoy them very much!!                         Bye for now and Merry Christmas,

thank you for your generosity and commitment towards the people in rural and remote areas.  Unfortunately the creek was too high for you to cross so we were unable to see and thank you in person.  The children were excited to receive their presents and wanted me to extend a big thank you. Ash in particular likes the Santa Sacks as ‘they are homemade’.  Also the Christmas Cake and shortbread are always a welcome addition to the pantry.   We hope everyone at Care Outreach has an enjoyable Christmas and New Year      

……It’s so kind of you to think of us this way and I love the products in the toilet bag plus the delicious cake and biscuits which we will enjoy.  Such thoughtful gifts and all we can say is a huge thank you to whoever gave the goodies.  We appreciate such generosity and kindness.  You’ve made our day.  Our love and thoughts are with you as we rejoice in the birth of our Saviour.  May the love of Christ surround you at Christmas and all through the year.  We pray His many blessings will be poured out on you as you serve the Lord so faithfully.  Much love from us both

…..Merry Christmas to you and once again thanks to you Care Outreach for the kind delivery you make us each year.  It is warming to see that there are still caring and giving people in our world who give their time and items so graciously to others.

……We thank you for your visits and gifts.  The service you provide is great. It has helped us a great deal.  Your continued support and thoughtfulness since my husband passed away has been truly appreciated.  Your continued support for our family during my illness is not taken lightly and I can say we feel truly blessed that friends of ours got in touch with you on our behalf.                                          

…….We are sending a note of heartfelt thanks to you and all your volunteers for the beautiful hamper put together for us….. It is lovely to reflect and think that other people are still thinking of us and wondering ‘how we are going’.  What a perfect place the world would be if all did that all the time.  We really do appreciate the hamper and the thoughts and time and effort put into the boxing and many, many miles of delivery……….. (from a Condamine family)

On behalf of the Board, Staff and Volunteers we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2012.

Work parties have been conducted and are still happening in the Mitchell area.  Visitation teams have been active in our Bollon, Cunnamulla, St George, Miles, Chinchilla, Condamine and Wondai regions in Qld and Condobolin area NSW.

The benefits of generous donations over the last 6 months enabled us to deliver quantities of blankets, doonas and knee rugs to a number of these regions.  With the cooler weather, and for many families who had lost everything in the floods, these have been received with great appreciation.

However, the greatest impact was made with the simple gift of thoughtfulness of Mother’s Day presents.  These small gifts made predominantly of donated ladies toiletries (such as hand cream and facial moisturiser with SPF) and cosmetics were met with overwhelming appreciation.    In fact one recipient sent us a note expressing her thanks for the SPF moisturiser.

We would like to thank all our donors for their generosity.

With the lease due to expire on our current address, we have found an ideal premises just nearby. 

From June 2nd we will be relocating to Unit 1 2b Robert St Kunda Park  Qld  4556.                 All our other details including phone number, email address and postal address will be remaining the same.   There will be some interruption to phone and internet services on the 2nd as the changeover occurs. 

The layout gives us a much more efficient use of space than what we have had, and the volunteer area is going to be more pleasant to work in.

If you are on or visiting the Sunshine Coast, please stop in and say hi.   Our office hours are Mon-Fri 8.30 to 3.

To date we have had teams from YWAM, and two church building teams as well as our own volunteers.  They have assisted owners of the local caravan park get their cabins cleaned and functional again, a house has been totally relined with new gyprock and a painter is due to finish this makeover in the near future, another team installed a new kitchen for a family.  A diesel mechanic has assisted a number of property owners get machinery up and running again that had been inundated with water.  And many hands have assisted property owners with the clean off and repair of fences so stock can’t wander.

We had a stand at the Chinchilla Melon festival and it was a good opportunity to connect with families who have not yet received any assistance.

In all, the impact into the whole community has been fantastic.

We have been putting money into the economy of the towns by purchasing as many of the resources and supplies locally as we can.

We will begin to get specific family by family, property by property needs, and will then be able to call on volunteers to fill the specific tasks.

We are no longer taking any pre-loved goods.  The response has been phenominal and our warehouse and overflow is almost full. 

New items – particularly pillows & linen, workwear, non-perishable food and toiletries are very much needed.  And the Bushman brand of Insect Repellent is required in large quantities.

Our hours for drop-off deliveries has changed and we will only be able to received goods between 9am & 2pm Mon – Fri.  The office is open for enquiries between 8.30 & 3.