Dedicated volunteers have shown they are dab hands with a paintbrush, selflessly giving their time to make over a MercyCare home for children in care.
More than 20 volunteers from imaging and electronics company, Ricoh, teamed with Osborne Park-based Perrott Painting for a six-day painting marathon this month, transforming one of MercyCare’s family group homes in Marangaroo.
The property is one of several family group homes operated by MercyCare in Perth’s northern suburbs.
They accommodate and care for children aged between three and 18 who cannot live at home with their families. Carers work to determine the best models of care for individuals, including long-term foster care, reunions with their birth parents or kinship care.
Ricoh staff, who initiated the corporate volunteering project, provided the painting equipment and labour, while Perrott Painting donated paint supplies pro bono and their time to do preparation work.
Bunnings Balcatta also joined the cause, donating planter boxes and seedlings for a vegetable garden as part of the renovation.
Ricoh State Director Earl Menezes spoke of being able to give a little bit back to the community as a fulfilling experience.
“We, as an organisation and branch, recognise that some families are doing it tough and we want to help where and when we can.
“It was a privilege to work with the team from MercyCare who do this unselfishly on a daily basis. I hope to work closely and more proactively with MercyCare to see where else we can make a difference,” Mr Menzes said.
MercyCare out-of-home care manager Rose Hayden said the fresh new look of the Marangaroo home would have a positive impact on the children who lived there.
“Our family group homes are an important part of MercyCare’s mission to help our community’s most vulnerable children and break the cycle of significant disadvantage,” Ms Hayden said.
“Many of these children are overcoming significant obstacles and hurdles in their lives, so this renovation is sure to have a lasting positive effect on them.”
MercyCare Chief Executive Officer Chris Hall also contributed to the discussion, emphasising that the not-for-profit organisation valued the support and dedication of corporate volunteers and felt the painting project was a beneficial experience for everyone involved.
“Our group home was positively transformed by these volunteers and it sends a message to the children who live there that others in the community care about them,” Mr Hall said.
“The project also offered a unique opportunity for the corporates involved to build camaraderie between staff and create an impact that matters.”
MercyCare is a leading Catholic provider of aged care, family, health and community services. We employ over 700 staff and 150 volunteers, delivering more than 40 programs and services, from over 30 locations throughout Western Australia.