CLEAN clothes and conversation are necessities for human dignity, but the lack of both is a major issue for the increasing number of people sleeping rough across the Sunshine Coast each night. The Orange Sky Australia mobile laundry provides a valuable free service to homeless people and anyone doing it tough.
To help cover the running costs of this volunteer organisation, more than 40 members of the Cool Harmonies community choir will throw open their rehearsal doors to welcome the public to some beautiful harmonies and fabulous food on Thursday, September 12.
Choir leader Yvonne Corstorphin said the annual fundraiser is usually a sell-out.
“Sharing our songs with members of the public whilst raising funds for a local community group is such a joy, and this year we are delighted to have Mary-Anne Cahill and Ron Wilson from Orange Sky Australia come along to tell us about the valuable work they do in our community.”
Homelessness can happen to anyone at any time and for a variety of reasons and Orange Sky provides an important and integral service to the many people who are impacted across the Sunshine Coast, by operating eleven three-hour shifts over five days every week, helping between eight and 10 people each time.
Established in Brisbane in 2014, Orange Sky is the world’s first free mobile laundry and shower service, now operating 63 services, which is made up of predominantly laundry and shower vans, and a mix of semi-mobile and permanent sites, at 38 locations across Australia.
The focus is on creating a safe, positive and supportive environment for people who are often ignored or who feel disconnected from the community. Staffed by volunteers who are empathetic listeners and great conversationalists, Orange Sky aims to positively connect everyday Australians through clean clothes and the opportunity to simply sit and chat in one of their six orange chairs.
Ms Corstorphin said the Coolum-based choir will be singing a wide range of uplifting songs from gospel to African.
“We’ll also include a sing-along for the audience to join in with as well as inviting everyone to share in some delicious food to round out a beautiful morning.”
The Cool Harmonies fundraiser for Orange Sky will be held on Thursday, September 12 at the Coolum Civic Centre, Coolum. The event will commence at 9.30 am and finish at 11.30 am with a shared morning tea buffet – all for just $15. Please purchase tickets through Trybooking: www.trybooking.com/CSMOC For more information contact Yvonne at yvonne@coolharmonies.com.au or mobile 0403 013 555.