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Help us give 110 Christmas Hampers! 

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Help bring joy this Christmas!

 

In the past month, CHIPS has been overwhelmed with the number of families needing a Christmas Hamper.

To date, we have had requests for 107 Christmas Hampers! The Hampers are such an important way of letting families know that no matter what is happening in their world, they are important, valued and thought of.

Feedback from a previous Hamper recipient:

“Oh WOW!!! Thank you so much… I truly do appreciate this, and although my children don’t have any presents at least we can have a lovely meal together and be thankful we have each other.”

 This parent didn’t know the hampers contained presents, so when we let her know, her reply was: “Truly grateful and has made my day… not to mention Christmas dinner.”

So, this year we asking you if your family would like to buy another family a Christmas Hamper?

There are three ways you can contribute:

  1. $25- Christmas Hamper Family Game which provides a family board game (such as Operation, Monopoly Junior, Mouse Trap, etc) in the Hamper, for a family to enjoy together.
  2. $40- Christmas Hamper Food which includes: a Bertocchi ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, fruit salad, plum pudding, custard, soft drink, short bread, bon bons and candy canes.
  3. $65- Christmas Hamper with Family Game which includes: a Bertocchi ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, fruit salad, plum pudding, custard, soft drink, short bread, bon bons, candy canes AND a family board game.

If you’d like to support a local family this Christmas, then click on the picture below:

(NB: Donations need to be received by December 10th.)

Thank you SO MUCH for your continued support – we simply wouldn’t be CHIPS without you!

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Why has CHIPS created a shop?

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“Why has CHIPS created a shop?” we hear you ask. Great question!

Here’s the answer…

This year, due to Covid, CHIPS’ support for children and families in crisis has been needed more than ever, as (apart from the effects of Covid and the extended Lockdown) police reports of domestic violence in the area have jumped between 25-30% on the same time last year.

During the past 6 months, CHIPS has provided support for over 2,000 children (through our in-school wellbeing program), 1,000+ home activity packs (for isolated children), PD’s for over 400 teachers, as well as dedicated crisis support to families and school staff.

Everything we do relies on volunteers and the support of amazing people like you, but because we haven’t been able to run our “usual” events, speaking engagements or fundraising activities this year, we needed to think of another way to generate funds.

Enter CHIPS’ shop!

When you purchase a product from CHIPS, apart from being a quality item and supporting other local, Australian businesses, the profits made will be going back into CHIPS’ programs which assist children and families in crisis.

So please, support CHIPS. Buy something from our shop and spread the word…EVERY little bit helps.

www.chips.org.au/shop

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21 Years of Life Gets Better Camps

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LGB Letter
Today, one of our long-term office volunteers (Russ) quickly popped into the CHIPS office to drop off a gift to commemorate 21 years of our Life Gets Better Camps.
 
The gift is a beautiful cross-stitch of a little child and their Grandfather, walking down to a lake (with their fishing rods and old, faithful dog), along a narrow dirt track. Across the bottom of the picture are the words- "Changing Little Worlds in BIG Ways"...CHIPS' motto.
 
Sometimes it's hard to know how much we can truly change a little world in a BIG way when our time with children is so short, but then we receive beautiful letters like these below (and pic):
 
"Hey Cathy. Sad that I can't be at the upcoming Life Gets Better camp but I'm thinking about you all and praying for a great camp. As I write this I am bumping down the highway in a big, old American school bus in New Jersey USA. For the last 10 weeks I have had the privilege of working at summer camp, with a group of 8 and 9 year old boys. My time here in the U.S comes to an end in a few weeks’ time and I have been reflecting on my journey to this point.
 
Back in 2002 I attended a Life Gets Better Camp and a few years later began volunteering on camps. I can say without a doubt that without Life Gets Better camps and the countless amazing program's that C.H.I.P.S does I would not be the person that I am today.
 
All the way from New Jersey USA I just want to say a huge thank you to the C.H.I.P.S team for the amazing work they do in encouraging kids to be kids. I can't wait to hear about the camp when I get back."
"I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the CHIPS team for the amazing experience they enabled my boys to have during camp over the weekend. It melted my heart to see such joy & happiness from both of them. It's certainly a credit to you all for doing such a great job. I cannot thank you enough for giving two boys the best experience of their life. Thank you."
 
Oh, how we've missed seeing all of those little faces, and catching up with our amazing team of volunteers this year and how sad we are that we aren't able to celebrate the positive impact that we've ALL had in these precious little ones lives, over the past 21 years.
 
BUT...how grateful we are that we have been given the opportunity to be "present", to "see, hear, understand and accept" the children JUST AS THEY ARE, because each one is of intrinsic value.
 
So, today we say- THANK YOU! Thank you to EVERY ONE who has supported CHIPS' Life Gets Better camps over the past 21 years and for going on this amazing journey with us.
 
You truly are continuing to Change Little Worlds In BIG Ways.
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R U OK? Day 2020

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'THERE'S MORE TO SAY AFTER R U OK?'

2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us. This year R U OK?Day is helping Australians know what to say when someone says they’re not OK and guide them through how they can continue a conversation that could change a life.

You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK. By knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported and access appropriate help long before they’re in crisis, which can make a really positive difference to their life.

Learn what to say after R U OK? and download their FREE resources for tips and ideas to help you share the message in your community: https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day

 

*wording taken off the R U OK? website*

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FREE Student Well-being Resource

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!! ATTENTION PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS !!

 

FREE Student Well-being resource as your little people prepare to head back to school.

Written by a School Counsellor, this story aims to help primary aged children with the transition back to face-to-face learning, after a period of uncertainty, and learning to find comfort in different ways.

‘Coming out of hibernation’ follows the journey of a little echidna, as everything starts to change due to Covid-19. From going into isolation at home, navigating remote learning and his transition back to school, this story captures a child’s feelings and point of view, as the world around him changes drastically.

(Feel free to download and/or share.)

 

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Staying connected during COVID-19

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Staying connected through the COVID-19 crisis:
 
If there is someone you think may struggle through social isolation, it is important to reach out to them and let them know you care:
 
– Call them to check on their welfare
– Send an email
– Leave a note under their door (whilst adhering to current Government guidelines)
 
Don’t underestimate the power you have to offer hope to another person.
 
 
Now is the time to get creative with how we interact. Here are some ways to stay connected if self-isolating:
 
– Set up a gratitude tree, where every member posts a message or sends a text to other members to share something they are grateful for. (See templates.)
– Find a buddy, or group, to set daily challenges with. These could include a healthy habit, a mindful practice, a creative pursuit. Be sure to encourage and check in daily to stay motivated.
– Set dates and times to watch the same TV shows/movies with someone and message each other your thoughts along the way… kind of like Goggle Box but you’re not sharing the couch!
– If your local community has one, join its social media group! This will keep you up to date with what’s going on directly around you. It may also include ways you can perhaps reach out and connect with someone less fortunate than you and ways to assist them.
– Join The Kindness Pandemic Facebook page or go to their website (https://www.thekindnesspandemic.org/ ) so you can see great stories of the way people are spreading kindness during these trying times.
 
 
Where to go for support?
 
It is extremely important to seek out help if you feel you need it. Lifeline is available to offer support and listen. Lifeline is committed to ensuring their services continue as normal during this time.
 
Lifeline phone: 13 11 14 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Lifeline Text: 0477 13 11 14 6pm – midnight (AEDT), 7 nights a week
Lifeline webchat is available 7pm – midnight (AEDT), 7 nights a week
 
Kids Helpline – for children that may need support
1800 55 1800 https://kidshelpline.com.au
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 https://beyondblue.org.au
 
And remember…we are all in this together.
 
 
(Information taken from lifeline.org.au)
#thekindnesspandemic #lifegetsbetterwithchips
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