This month we’re celebrating Temple Society Australia, our Member of the Month! Since joining Good360 in 2021, Temple Society Australia has been transforming lives across their community, from Christmas mornings filled with wrapped presents for families doing it tough, to fully stocked cleaning supplies that keep their services running, to technology that keeps people connected to what matters most. We’re also recognising Freemasons Foundation Victoria, one of our generous funders, helping us distribute digital devices to recipients to bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for connection and empowerment.
When did Temple Society Australia join Good360?
We joined Good360 in May 2021.
What programs do you use your Good360 donations for? Who does the program serve? How does it impact Australians in need?
We use Good360 for our Christmas program where we give parents struggling to purchase gifts for their children an opportunity to choose some gifts without having to worry about paying for them. We also order items like cleaning products, technology, pet products, clothing, books and even furniture to give to our service users or to use in the various programs we operate.
What is your favourite moment/interaction that you have had with a client when utilising the Good360 product?
My favourite moment is absolutely when we were able to order a laptop for one of our CHAMPION (Community Hub and Meeting Place in Our Neighbourhood) visitors, Gary. When a laptop became available on Good360, I ordered one immediately with Gary in mind, as his existing device had fallen apart and was no longer working. When I gave him the laptop, his eyes sparkled and he was so grateful. Gary uses his laptop to stay connected with family and friends, to do his volunteer work with his bowling club (and to keep his statistics) and for the daily admin of life. He continues to be incredible grateful for this gift and we are grateful to Good360 for enabling us to give him this laptop.
How does Good360 help your mission?
At CHAMPION, our mission is “To provide a safe and empowering space for food relief, community support and connection”. Good360 gives us the products and supplies from various donors to enhance what we can do at CHAMPION. By being able to purchase (or receive for free) low-cost toys, technology, books, educational supplies, pet supplies, clothing and other important offerings, we are able to expand the service we offer to people in need and give them the opportunity to improve their outcomes. Our plan is to set up some support services for carers as well as after school sessions for children and more, and we know Good360 will be able to help us by giving us access to items we can use for these programs.
What would happen if Good360 weren’t here to help?
We would be unable to offer such a wide selection of gifts at Christmas. We would not have the cleaning products and sanitising products to use in our service. It would be very challenging and it would mean our existing resources would be stretched even further than they already are.
What is your favourite donation you have received from Good360? Why?
Definitely the laptops were a highlight and we were very grateful to access one. More of these would help so many of our visitors! LEGO is our second favourite as it helps so many people and is great for all ages, genders and abilities. We are also grateful for the pet supplies, cleaning products and other toys especially.
How many lives have you impacted through Good360’s donations?
Over 1000.
To learn more about Temple Society Australia, check out their website, Instagram and Facebook.
Temple Society Australia’s ability to connect a laptop with one of their clients was made possible by Freemasons Foundation Victoria, who generously funded digital divide donations across Victoria. This is just one of many people we’ve been able to support through our Victoria-based digital divide project, made possible by the incredible Freemasons Foundation Victoria. Their funding is helping put laptops into the hands of communities in need, supporting access to education and opening up future opportunities.
