Charity: Donate to the Needy This Winter

Winter poses a different challenge to social workers.

With the drop in temperatures to as low as -5 degrees in some Brisbane suburbs, there are calls for residents to donate blankets, beds, warm coats, scarves, beanies and gloves to the disadvantaged.

In particular, there are some members of our community still living in hardship after the Brisbane floods. While the floods were 5-6 months ago now, there are still homes with major structural damage, of which provide no warmth and pose significant health risks to those inside.

Those who wish to donate should contact your local non-profit organisation or Connected, a volunteer group that runs a large warehouse in Brisbane to store donated flood relief items.

Before you donate, it's a great idea to clean your winter woolies before you pass them on to remove soiling, stains and dustmites. We can help - SMS your pickup address to 0438 80 80 80, email valet@elaundry.com.au or Order a Pickup Online.

Charity: Time Out for Charity Luncheon

It was a star-studded turn out for the Time Out for Charity Luncheon hosted by the Lord Mayor's Community Trust. In attendance were 144 guests including Georgie Lewis, Sharyn Ghidella, Amanda McLeay and our very own Toni-Maree Bishop.

The luncheon raised $5,200 and the raffles and cakes raised over $4000.

Charity: Lord Mayor's Community Trust

elaundry is attending the Lord Mayor's Community Trust "Time Out For Charity: Luncheon Launch of Lady Chain" on Friday, 27th May.

We have donated raffle prizes, with ticket proceeds going to the Lord Mayor's Community Trust.

We love charity!

Charity: Suited to Success Garage Sale

Suited to Success - a Brisbane charity we support - is holding a garage sale on Saturday, 26th March from 8am - 1pm in their new boutique space: 47 Anderson Street, Fortitude Valley.

Up for sale are women's clothing and accessories, with nothing over $50. You may even find a designer bargain or two! Proceeds support the cause of providing free interview-appropriate clothing and confidence to Brisbane women in need.

For more information, email info@suitedtosuccess.org or phone (07) 3216 1969.

Charity: Supporting Local Schools

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Tomorrow morning (Wednesday 16th March), Buranda State School is launching their brand new Walk to School program. Locals, families, students and council members will be in attendance for the ceremony which encourages physical activities while reducing their carbon footprint.

As a dry cleaner with a strong environmental focus, we were so impressed by the school's initiative that we provided a bunch of $5 off elaundry cards and Suite Commuter Coffee loyalty cards (with the holes pre-punched for free coffee).

If you're in the area, stop by the school for the ceremony and pick up an elaundry card.

Business News: Mud Flood Doona Deal

We want to share some pictures with you from the flood crisis in Brisbane last week. Mid-week, it was all systems go at elaundry Stone's Corner as all loose structures, baskets and other laundry bits & pieces were moved to the rafters of the building. What a momentous task! The floodwaters seeped into the back carpark, but luckily did not ifiltrate the elaundry building.

Others, however, were not so lucky. We want to do our part for the flood crisis in our community, so have offered new facebook group, Adopt-a-Wash invaluable flood laundry tips and have launched a new deal for flood victims. Our Mud Flood Doona Deal gets you 2 doonas, blankets or bedspreads dry cleaned within 48 hours for the price of 1. Eucalytpus and anti-allergen washes are also available to assist with germ and mould contaminations.

To take advantage of this deal:

* For Valet pickup: SMS your address to 0438 80 80 80
* Call 07 3394 2488
* Email valet@elaundry.com.au

Charity: Wrap Up of Our Charity Involvements!

In November, we blogged about our charity work with Southside Education and Suited to Success.

elaundry was seeking help from the community in gathering gifts and unwanted black shoes & accessories for disadvantaged women in Brisbane. As well as sourcing donations through the community, Toni-Maree gathered professional attire for Suited to Success.

Both programs were a huge success!

With Lana - the executive manager of Suited to Sucess - handing over donations of professional suits and other attire to help disadvanted women re-enter the workforce with confidence.

Gathering the generously donated gifts by elaundry clients and the Brisbane community for Southside Education's students. The girls were given the choice of a box or envelope (what a decision!) The boxes contained gorgeous gifts, and the envelopes contained frequent flyers that could be used to purchase gifts.

Overall, we were again overwhelmed by the generousity of Brisbane locals. Southside Education and Suited to Success are just two fantastic charity programs being run in our community to help disadvantaged women and youths. It is only through the support of our clients that we succeed in delivering donations to these organisations, so would like to thank each and every one of you!

Charity: Corporate Charity Link Program: elaundry & Southside Education

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This difficult year has left more women exposed and vulnerable than ever before, and Christmas is our chance to help them out.

The 'Shoebox Drive for Women' is the brainchild of elaundry owner and LMCT Ambassador, Toni-Maree Bishop. Upon meeting young, underprivileged and disadvantaged women at Southside Education, Toni-Maree called upon her network of contacts to ask for donations of women's products to create Christmas gift boxes to give away.

This Christmas, there are two ways you can help us help our Brisbane women at Southside Education.

CHOOSE GIFTS AT THE GROCERY STORE

Simply pick out ANY items at the grocery store or shopping centre that you think a young person would appreciate and put it in a shoebox. If you are located in the Brisbane CBD we can zoom past your home in our elaundry van to collect the box, or simply drop down to our shops in Clayfield & Stone's Corner.

DONATE UNWANTED BLACK SHOES & HANDBAGS

The second way you can help this year is by donating unwanted (yet clean) black handbags and shoes to job seekers. In 2010, Toni-Maree has connected graduating Southside girls to a job service. With the current state of the economy, this task is a mammoth undertaking. Fewer jobs means more intense interviewing processes, and rejection can be incredibly serious for young girls when money and connections are so desperately needed.

Therefore, black shoes and bags are the completion of an applicant's 'suit of armour' required to feel complete and worthy enough to be granted an interview, let alone win the position.

Again, we can pick up in our valet van or you can drop into the elaundry storefront in Clayfield & Stone's Corner.

If you can help, please do. We have personally witnessed the effect gift-giving has on disadvantaged girls. And only through the generous support of the Brisbane community can we make a difference to these young women's lives.

For more information, contact tmb@elaundry.com.au. For pickup of charity boxes, SMS 0428 80 80 80 or email valet@elaundry.com.au

Business News: Lady Mayoress' Ladies Luncheon & Market

elaundry is also pleased to announce that we will be making an appearance at the Lady Mayoress' Mixing Business & Pleasure Ladies Luncheon on Friday, 27th August at the Victoria Park Function Venue in Herston, QLD.

The luncheon is $55 pp and includes drinks on arrival, a two course lunch, fashion parade and fashion accessories market.

elaundry will be holding an accessories stall in the market selling some of the products from our website including the Hollywood Fashion Range.

Charity: 4KQ Variety Special Children's Christmas Party 2010

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We have been very busy at elaundry headquarters! The elaundry Products pages are receiving a major overhaul with over 100 new items being uploaded in coming weeks.

In other news, elaundry is pleased to announce that we are sponsors of the 16th annual 4KQ Variety Special Children's Christmas Party for 2010!

The aim of the Christmas Party is to provide in excess of 3,000 disabled and disadvantaged children with a day they will never forget. At elaundry we recognise the need to share Christmas joy with those who are often overlooked or ignored, and love bringing joy into the lives of our community.

We look forward to the event at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Southbank, QLD on Sunday, 12th December 2010!

Charity: Please Give to Micah Projects

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At elaundry, we love helping others. And, we want to make it easier for you to give too by informing you of local charity events that require assistance.

Micah Projects Inc runs a ball, "Moonlight Magic" Dinner Dance each year for the mentally challenged to attend. At present, they are seeking "glam" men's and women's clothing, shoes, handbags, costume jewellery, shawls etc for these people to wear to the event.

If you are cleaning out our wardrobe (or your friends are!) please help.

Contact Bridget Kinch at Micah Projects Inc on (07) 3029 7000 or email bridget.kinch@micahprojects.org.au