WELCOME TO THE MARCH 2023 EDITION OF THE BOOTSTRAPS NEWSLETTER.
HERE WE DISCUSS EVERYTHING GOING ON, UPCOMING EVENTS, WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS AND CELEBRATING OUR LOVE AND PASSION FOR EVERYTHING LEATHER!
FROM THE CEO:
Welcome one and all!
Hello all and welcome back to the BOOTSTRAPS News Leather. This promises to be a very big year with a lot of big milestones coming up on the calendar.
March sees us running a fund-raising raffle with over 10 prizes on offer. Please get involved and help us raise much needed funds.
Our DVA sponsored weekend in December of last year was a great success and we hope to conduct more in the future. We have and upcoming RSL QLD day this month that should be a great day also.
BOOTSTRAPS, in partnership with TAFE QLD, is on track to begin teaching in schools within our region in 2024. This endeavour promises to be a great way to bring the leather work craft back to our community.
We are also in the planning stage of having our inaugural black tie gala ball in October of this year – so look out for more information as it becomes available.
Once again, my thanks to all our staff and supporters for your amazing work so far. Please keep it up and let’s keep achieving our goals.
Thank you all once again for being a part of the BOOTSTRAPS journey. Stay safe and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Thank you to all our staff and supporters who
have helped to get to where we are today.
See you next month and stay safe!!!
- Sam Kavanagh, CEO Bootstraps
EVENTS
DVA CLASS:
We ended the 2022 year with a DVA-sponsored 2-day class for 5 Veterans and their 5 family members. This gave the participants the opportunity to connect with one another, learn a new skill and make some amazing one-of-a-kind leather items together. The standard of the customised belts and card holders produced speaks for itself.
VISIT FROM THE MAYOR:
The Mayor of Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Cr Tanya Milligan, stopped by for an overdue handbag fix after a leaky pen left its mark; after finding out what Tanya would like, Shannon came up with a simple and effective cover up. Tanya was very impressed, and also made a donation to Bootstraps over and above the cost of the materials.
MATES 4 MATES DAY:
During January of this year saw another successful Mates 4 Mates one-day class. The participants walked away at the end of the day with a custom belt that they had produced from start to finish. One of the more experienced visitors produced a knife sheaf to replace their 55-year-old one; no doubt the new one will last just as long!
WELFARE HUB KICKOFF:
February saw Bootstraps kick it up a gear with the fundraiser for the new Welfare Hub; the team visited PRT Industries in Rocklea who are refurbishing the 2-donga facility. We are still seeking tradies to donate some time to help with the eventual installation in April, and more importantly, sponsors who can fund the project; sponsors will be able to display their logo on the wall for the life of the facility, which will be seen by users and the 20,000 drivers passing the Hub annually.
ANZAC DAY RAFFLE:
Bootstraps has now officially kicked of it's Anzac Day Raffle with thousands in prizes on offer to be won, but also, thousands off opportunities to buy a ticket and support the work Bootstraps does to help veterans in our community. To discover more and buy a ticket yourself, visit the following link:
You'll also find a complete list of the prizes and their value there so be sure to get in quick to buy your tickets and be in the draw to win an amazing prize while helping out our veterans.. The winners will be drawn on 24th April 2023 and announced via social media and our website, so be sure to like and follow us on socials.
BOOTSTRAPS HQ:
Our centre of operations, located in Gatton, Queensland, is always open to ALL ADF personnel that are currently serving and/or ex, and the general community to drop in.
The centre is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm.
"Feel free to drop by and say hello or introduce yourself!"
STAFF:
We are always welcoming new faces to volunteer their time, experience and skills. Without the tireless support of our volunteers keeping Bootstraps going would be impossible. Regardless of your background or skillsets, every one of us can help to play a part. It doesn't need to be huge, it could be only a few hours a week through to a few days a week - really every little bit helps.
If you're in a position to offer some voluntary assistance to our organisation, then please reach out to us today by contacting us by phone or email to admin@bootstraps.org.au
Also if you are in a position to assist us through monetary donations of any value, please visit our website and follow the link to: https://www.bootstraps.org.au/donations
SUPPORT:
For some of us, we're not ready to talk as it means saying things out aloud reminds us of the issue. Then there's times we simply don't want to talk, but we're comfortable to text how we're feeling. As the classic song by Cold Chisel says "When the war is over, it's time to start again!" But for some of us that war internally is ongoing. Here at Bootstraps we have all been in that situation and know what it feels like. Please remember if you need to talk you can drop in to our centre and say G'Day to some like minded folk
But for those other times, when you feel this way, know that there is support available via text on 0477 131114 through Lifeline Text. This is a service openly available 24/7and ran by Lifeline. You can text them anything that's on your mind - no matter how overwhelming, they are there to listen. Just know, that there is someone there when you're ready!
Please feel free to share with your friends, families and colleagues! Remember there is always someone willing to listen!
500 CLUB:
We are always so proud to promote all of our 500 Club Members that proudly supports us!
The last few month and now the last year have been really difficult for many businesses and we want to take the moment to acknowledge the continued support of all of our 500 Club Member's. Despite their own struggles, our valued partners have stuck with us through their dedicated support. Please make sure that you support them however you can!
Every News Leather, we aim to showcase a new 500 Club Member to thank them for their support but also to let you know about the legends that support us!
This month we acknowledge Promo & Print Co.
Located at 41 Sudbury Street in Darra, in Brisbane’s south-west, Promo & Print Co. recently celebrated 10 years in business, proudly providing some of Australia’s best loved brands with promotions, signage and uniforms.
Promo & Print Co. is a one stop shop for all of your work gear, from promotional material to business stationery and signage. Our inhouse capability means we can turn around event wear and print jobs in industry best timing.
WEBSITE: https://www.promoandprintco.com.au/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/promoandprintco.brandingsolutions
Bootstraps is really proud to have its many supporters onboard as 500 Club Members.
But to keep the centre marching along were always looking for more businesses to become 500 Club Members! If you too would like find out what's in it for your business and to learn a bit more and show your support for our work click below to discover how you can become a 500 CLUB MEMBER!
LEATHER LAUGHS:
They say that laughter is the best medicine... so here's you does of giggles for this month's News Leather!
VETERANS VENUES:
So each month we like to feature a Veteran owned business or place where veterans, their families and friends can spend time and enjoy life.
If you have or know of a business or place why not let us know so we can feature them here!
PROJECTS:
We were proud to welcome some new faces to visit the centre, as well as familiar ones. And these are a sampling of some of them amazing leather work pieces that were created!
If you'd like to create a unique leather piece yourself, why not visit our centre today or contact us about class times. Or better still why not take home an exclusive leather work piece from our many items for sale on display!
We look forward to bringing you more in next months, News-Leather. But in the meantime, be sure to Like and Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with what's happening with Bootstraps!