NSW Rural Fire Service

Commissioners Message

The NSW Rural Fire Service is a proud and dedicated organisation that works to protect the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. With more than 70,000 volunteers spread across the entire State, we can rightly claim to be one of the largest, if not the largest volunteer fire service in the world. Our Service makes a real difference in the community, not only during major bushfires, but at thousands of structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and by educating the community about fire safety. RFS volunteer fire-fighters are supported every day by staff across the State, of which 65% are volunteer fire-fighters who also give their time to protect their community from fire and emergencies.

Most of us have, or know people who have children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who are sick. For our own members’ children, as well as the children who are impacted by the incidents that we are called to attend, we feel deeply concerned for their welfare. Coffee4Kids was established by members of the RFS to help children in areas such as cancer, mental illness, intensive care and kids who are homeless and abused.

The charity was officially launched in February 2006 with The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and already the RFS has raised in excess of $25,000 in the first 12 months thanks to the commitment of over 150 staff who have simply contributed a “cup of coffee” each week in support of children who need our help.

On the 14th December 2007 as Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service and Goodwill Ambassador for Coffee4Kids I launched the Coffee4Kids Foundation Volunteer Strategy to enable all Brigades and their Volunteers the opportunity to participate in this innovative and vitally important initiative.

I would therefore like to invite each and everyone of you, whether a Volunteer, staff member, or as a Brigade, to join us in raising much needed funds in support of making a real and tangible difference to the health, safety and well being of children across NSW.

Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM
Commissioner
NSW Rural Fire Service

Volunteer Strategy

Coffee4Kids understands the demands that are placed upon brigades to raise funds for their own purposes and in recognising this, we have developed five strategies that are aimed at taking up as little additional time of your brigade as possible to support the foundation.

So how can you help?

In keeping with the Foundation’s concept of giving up a cup of coffee to help sick kids, our aim is to gain the support of as many brigades as we possibly can to donate thousands of dollars each year. This would mean a donation of only $5.00* per week from each brigade with 100% of all funds raised being donated to children’s charities.

To achieve this we have devised five fundraising options:

Option 1: Brigade Annual Charity event

Given that many brigades hold regular events such as annual dinners, AGMs and other initiatives, there is an opportunity to raise the $5.00* per week in a single event. This would equate to $260.00 per annum which for many of our brigades would be easily achieved in a single fundraising initiative.

Option 2: Take a Tin

The Foundation can provide C4K money tins to brigades who can then collect $5.00 per week. Once full, simply return the tin!

Option 3: Regular automatic donations to the Foundation by the Brigade

With the advent of automatic funds transfers from bank accounts, it is possible to automate payments to the Foundation by simply arranging for a regular transfer direct to the Foundation account. The Foundation can then arrange for regular receipts back to the brigade.

Option 4: Sales of C4K merchandise

The Coffee4Kids Foundation has a range of merchandise available for sale to assist brigades in raising funds for the Foundation. Visit our Merchandise page for more details!

Option 5: One-off and regular automatic donations to the Foundation by an individual

With the advent of automatic funds transfers from bank accounts it is possible to automate payments to the Foundation by simply arranging for a regular transfer direct to the Foundation account. The Foundation can then arrange for regular receipts back to the individual. All donations are fully tax deductible.

* Whilst $5.00 per week is the Foundation’s target weekly amount, brigades are free to alter their weekly contribution as they see fit.

Interested?

We are encouraging all brigades in NSW to make a contribution to the Foundation. To register your interest in supporting the Foundation, simply contact us on 02 8741 5555 and ask to speak to a C4K advisory committee member or email us at c4k@coffee4kids.org.au and we will arrange to send you the relevant application forms.

Coffee4Kids and the workplace giving program

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