PACE is a completely not-for-profit project. Each year, we choose a charity that's focused on changing lives and bettering their community. With the help and generosity of our PACE community, to date we've donated well over $120,000 to deserving organisations.
This year, for every survey completed, we will contribute to Koala Kids, a volunteer driven, not for profit organisation that supports children and young people during cancer treatment and their families.
Koala Kids aims to alleviate the challenges posed by cancer treatment by providing happy moments, and reducing stress for families and healthcare teams. Run by volunteers, Koala Kids have been delivering unique programs and activities since 2005, including therapeutic items and engaging distractions during treatment.
Collaborating with pediatric cancer services and presently supporting 480 families directly and many more indirectly, their focus is on bringing joy to children undergoing treatment, and emphasising the importance of distraction and comfort during challenging times.
In 2023, PACE raised funds for Impact For Women, an Australian charity committed to making a difference to Victorian women and children fleeing extreme violence at home. From humble beginnings in March 2006, Kathy Kaplan OAM and twelve of her friends sourced donations and packed 100 small gift boxes which were delivered to the few metropolitan Safe Houses which support domestic violence victims. Impact now do much more than Bags of Love: advocacy and awareness raising, interest-free loans, grants, bursaries, free well-being programs and funded childcare. For every PACE survey completed in 2023, we contributed towards Impact's Bags of Love providing women in hiding with items most of us take for granted. Everything from toiletries, to kids toys.
In 2022, PACE raised funds for Alex Makes Meals, an Australian charity dedicated to easing the burden of food insecurity for thousands of people. Alex Dekker started Alex Makes Meals as a Uni student during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020 when couldn’t visit his immunocompromised parents or his sister, who was working at a hospital. He sensed the stress his sister was under and decided to make a meal for her and her workmates. His lasagne was a hit, so Alex kept on cooking for more people. AMM makes 3000+ meals a week, delivers to 50+ locations and now has a team of 80+ volunteers. Through PACE 2022, we were able to donate 6,600 warm meals to Victorians in need.
In 2021, PACE raised funds for Youth Projects, an independent charity providing front line support to young people experiencing disadvantage, unemployment, homelessness, alcohol and other drug issues. Offering responsive and timely intervention, Youth Projects opens up pathways out of poverty and homelessness - breaking the cycle of disadvantage. They provide a complete wrap around, judgement-free service with a strong focus on respect, client-centred care and harm prevention, enabling each person to lead a longer life, have improved health, meaningful employment and a sense of belonging, safety and security through a holistic model of care.
In 2020, PACE raised funds for Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN Australia), a not-for-profit organisation supporting families who have a child with an undiagnosed or rare genetic condition. SWAN children are unique, and nobody can predict what the future holds for them. PACE helped to fund the the SWAN Siblings Program – providing additional support to siblings of SWAN children. The support group addresses feelings of isolation, teaching coping mechanisms and improving confidence. Most importantly it provides a network and safe place for siblings to share emotions guided by an experienced program leader.
In 2019, PACE raised funds for Power of Engineering whose purpose is to empower young people to embrace their creativity, diversity, and mindset and consider a career in engineering. PACE helped to fund the development of the 'Engineering In-A-Box' project which has adapted the signature Power of Engineering event, into a real world based classroom activity pack so the program can be run anywhere in Australia.
In 2018, PACE raised funds for One Voice, a Melbourne-based charity committed to restoring dignity by empowering young Australians experiencing homelessness. As a direct result of our contribution, One Voice fit out a woodwork shop in their new Life Restoration Housing Community 'Elevate'.
In 2017, PACE raised funds for One Heart, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2007 out of Australia to change the future of orphaned and abandoned children living in poverty in Kenya. The organisation was founded by Melbourne-based architect Dean Landy of Clarke Hopkins Clarke. As a direct result of our contribution, One Heart was able to start construction on the new One Heart school in Kenya. We are very excited to see our PACE science lab take shape in late 2017. Learn more here: Building a classroom for kids in need
In 2016, PACE raised funds for Variety, a national organisation committed to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged, or have special needs overcome the obstacles they face and live life to the fullest. As a direct result of our contribution, Variety gave a grant for a mobility scooter, allowing a young student to continue attending school with her friends. Learn more here: Changing Anna's Life
In 2015, PACE raised funds for the Summer Foundation, which funded the "Summer in Winter" luncheon. The event raised more than $46,000 for the organisation and paid for two apartments to be fitted out with technology for young people living in nursing homes, allowing them to control doors and lights via an iPad. Get an inside look into the Summer Foundation's inspirational work here.
