What's On - Charities, Fundraisers, Sporting Events

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Note: Please check details with event organisers before attending.

Melbourne strikes a pose for unity
Venue	at Peninsula Shed 9, Melbourne Docklands
Date	Sunday December 6th
Time	8am to 11am
Fee	Free
Book	Participants must register online at Yogaaid.com.au
This year, Melbourne will welcome the Yoga Aid Challenge a popular fundraising event for local and international charities back to the city. The event has already raised $500 000 worldwide for charity in eight separate countries and is well placed in the hearts of Australians by far the largest participators and fundraisers for these events, a phenomenon accounted for by the dramatic increase in popularity of Yoga for Australians. However, this year Melbournites will be able to participate in something a little different. The event is being held in coordination with the Parliament of World Religions, an interfaith conference with delegates from all over the world and representing various religious and spiritual perspectives. The event itself will take on a different format to embrace this aspect of the Challenge. International and local leaders from the Parliament and from various faiths and religious disciplines will lead the Challenge, which will consist of both asana (poses) and other spiritual practices such as chanting. Charities for this year include the MS Society, Nelune Foundation, Barnardos and Football United.

Sydney chocolate shop
Venue	251 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW
Time	Monday - Closed, Tuesday - Wednesday: 12:00 noon to 8:30 pm, Thursday to Saturday - 12:00 noon to 10:30pm Sunday â€" 12 noon to 7:00pm
Book	02 9356 8876
A tiny Sydney chocolate shop is proving you don't have to be a corporate giant to move mountains when it comes to providing vital assistance for victims of natural disasters. Boon, opened by Filipino-born brother and sister team Alex and Fanny Chan less than 12 months ago, is spearheading a major relief program for the devastated Manila area, struck by Typhoon Ondoy on September 25 this year. The Chan's family home in the Philippines was just one of many thousands affected. Deeply moved by the disaster, Alex and Fanny have joined forces with the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, and many other businesses and individuals to provide relief to their homeland. Within weeks of handing over their Darlinghurst chocolate shop as a collection point, Boon had collected tonnes of canned goods, clothes and household items. To make donating and coordinating the relief effort even simpler, Alex has devised the Pallet Purchase Program, a unique system where individuals and organisations can select goods from a pre-determined list with one of the partnering companies such as Campbell's Cash n Carry. Alex has been touched by the generosity of the Australia public, saying that so many of his customers have been asking how they can also help. You can make your contribution to the Pallet Purchase Program in-store at Boon Chocolates until the end of November.

angel noel
Venue	Rio Tinto Australia: Level 33, 120 Collins Street Melbourne Australia 3000
Date	Thursday the 10th of December 2009
Time	5.45pm for socialising, networking, nibbles & drinks. 6:30pm Speakers. 9:00pm further opportunity to social network with drinks. 9:30pm Close
Fee	$37.00 per ticket
Book	Pay into the Angel Noel Account or email Jodie.cole@dpworld.com
Aspire: seek, hope, aim, want, wish & desire. Act: accomplish, proceed & perform. Fly: rise, ascend & soar. The evening's theme: INSIGHT - What insight occurred in our lives that caused us to take action and why? Speakers: Jodie Cole Pollyanna Lenkic Vicki Crowe Margaret Stuart Buzz McCarthy It is requested that each guest (on the night) bring along a 'Christmas Gi!' for a woman in hiding. 'these gi!s shall be donated to a women's 'safe house' to let them know that someone is thinking of them and the courage it took for them to get to where they are. This a magical and inspirational time of the year when peace, joy and love are around us and the energy within the world is inspiring. Westpac Bank Account Name: Angel Noel BSB: 033 305 Account Number: 385475

Habitat for Humanity Australia (HFHA) is helping two families in need by taking up the challenge to build them each a new home in just 12 days
Date	Monday 16 November-28th November
The Bidwill Blitz Build, launching on Monday 16 November, will see sponsors and volunteers come together to help build two safe and secure new homes in less than a fortnight, for the Hart and Webeck family, in Sydney's North West suburb of Bidwill. Rhiannon Hart and her two small children, Alexander and Emily, have been moving constantly with no stable place to live. With Rhiannon's 2 year old daughter Emily already having endured a heart operation, and being monitored by doctors for hip and foot abnormalities, and Rhiannon herself suffering from a number of medical conditions, they are eagerly awaiting the comfort and stability of their new home. The Hart and Webeck families are one of eight families who will work in partnership with HFHA to build their new homes in Bidwill over the coming year. By the end of 2010, Habitat for Humanity will have helped over 100 families across Australia and over 400,000 more throughout the world. HFHA, a not-for-profit home ownership organisation which builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with low income families in need across Australia, is providing the Hart and Webeck families a hand up, not a hand out. Through the Bidwill Blitz Build, brand new homes are built and then sold to partner families financed with affordable interest-free loans.

International Day of People with a Disability
Date	Thursday 3rd December
To mark this day, Sunnyfield, one of the largest service providers for people with an intellectual disability in NSW, is proud to launch 'id DAY'. 'id Day' holds significance in the word identity, we are unique in our identity, and people with a disability want to be recognised as having identities, not labels! The name also reflects the importance of the individual on this day - everyone has their own gifts, aspirations, needs and experiences. Everyone can make a difference to the lives of those with a disability by supporting this day, simply by buying merchandise or making a donation at idday.org.au. For this year's iD DAY, Sunnyfield is highlighting the issue of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) as this is one of the leading causes of non-genetic intellectual disabilities. There will be some gorgeous merchandise for sale not only on the 3rd December, but also in the week or so leading up to the day. Or you can purchase merchandise at selected Woolworths and Westfield stores in the Sydney metropolitan and greater area.

Wayne Bennett Fundraising Lunch for Compass Youth Education
Venue	Dockside on Cockle Bay Wharf
Date	Friday December 4
Fee	$170 per person and include lunch, drinks and the chance to meet Wayne Bennett and hear him give one of his inspirational public speeches
Book	Trybooking.com/CIG before November 20.
Compass Youth Education, a charity program assisting hundreds of young Australians with their essential education needs, is hosting a fundraising lunch on Friday December 4, with Wayne Bennett, one of the most influential modern-day sporting coaches, as special guest speaker. Compass Youth Education gives underprivileged and deserving young Australian students an equal opportunity in life and needs your support! It's about "leveling the playing field" for these young children.

Adopt-A-Manatee
Book	Savethemanatee.org
The manatee's story is a heart-breaking one. Although manatees have been peacefully swimming in Florida's waters for over a million years, human activities have put them at a high risk of extinction. Collisions with boats is the number one cause of manatee deaths and the greatest threat to their long-term survival. Please join our life-saving efforts to help the endangered manatees. Feature our PSAs in your publication and share our conservation message with your many readers. Funds from the Adopt-A-Manatee program go toward efforts to help protect manatees and their habitat.

Bears Of Hope Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: Family and Friends Christmas Picnic
Venue	Rouse Hill Regional Park
Date	Sunday 13th December
Time	From 10:30am
Book	RSVP: toni@bearsofhope.org.au
On the day, bring along a teddy bear or purchase Sophie, our Bear Of Hope,to donate in honour of your baby at Christmas time.

StreetSmart's Dine Out to Help Out campaign
Date	9th Nov to 24th Dec
Fee	restaurants add a $2 voluntary donation to every table's bill
Every single dollar collected is donated directly to support homeless refuges and charities selected based on their need and proximity to participating restaurants. Last year, diners at 238 restaurants helped to raise over $260,000 plus $100,000 for Bush Fire Survivors. Across Australia, there are almost 240 restaurants participating in 'Dine Out to Help Out' in 2009. You can visit Streetsmartaustralia.org to find local restaurants participating in 2009

Room to Read
Fee	For just $335 you could sponsor a girl's education for one year.
Book	Roomtoread.org
Since their inception in 2000, non0profit organisation 'Room to Read' has impacted the lives of over 3.9 million children across the developing world, founded on the belief that 'World Change Starts With Educated Children'. In addition to building schools and libraries and publishing and distributing books, Room to Read has a sponsorship program for girls' education in developing countries. To help 'Room to Read' reach their goal of positively impacting the lives of 10 million children by 2020, you can give a selfless gift this year. For just $335 you could sponsor a girl's education for one year.

Lindy Loo the Poodle

Lindy Loo the Poodle Bear is the 2009 Charity Bear for Beanie Kids. Each year Skansen Giftware releases one very special Beanie Kid to help raise much needed funds for a worthy charity. $1.00 from the sale of every Lindy-Loo the Poodle Bear will go directly to CanTeen. CanTeen provides many support services for young people living with Cancer - by running over 200 camps, recreation days and programs each year across Australia. CanTeen believes that no young person should go through their cancer experience alone. Lindy-Loo is available now for $11.99 from gift stores nationally. For stockist details please contact 1800 063 664

Santa Run
Date	Sunday 29th November
Book	Varietysantafunrun.com.au.
On Sunday 29th November, Variety will host the first ever Santa Fun Run in hope of attracting 2000 Santa-suited participants in its inaugural year, and eventually growing the number beyond 14,000 to break the world 'Santa Run' record, which is currently held by Portugal. The 1.8km event has been split into two categories - Runners & Walkers to ensure suitability for all fitness levels from competitive runners and sporting groups to school kids and families. You can run it, hop it, skip it or complete the course in baby steps, as long as you do it in a five piece Santa Suit which comes included with the affordable registration fee. Variety are offer a special early bird fee of $30 for adults and $20 for kids under 10 years, for registrations by October 31st or $40 and $30 there after.

SIDS and Kids online Christmas shopping
Venue	Sidsandkidsshop.org
SIDS and Kids is adding extra sparkle to the festive season by making Christmas shopping easy with their online store. At the SIDS and Kids Shop, a range of stylish and useful products are available to make Christmas merry and meaningful, including the top-selling grobag baby sleeping bag. For those who want to be environmentally conscious get in the spirit of a red and green Christmas with the eco-friendly and convenient Bambino Mio nappy products. SIDS and Kids Christmas Donation Cards are the perfect present for those who have everything. The tax-deductible cards can be purchased in three seasonal designs and are available in amounts of $10, $25, $50 and $100, making them truly a gift that keeps giving. SIDS and Kids is dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and is committed to supporting bereaved families.

Dine Out to Help Out
Venue	Streetsmartaustralia.org/findrestaurant
Date	9th November to the 24th December
Dine Out to Help Out sees restaurants add a $2 voluntary donation to every table's bill. Every single dollar collected is then donated directly to support homeless refuges and charities selected based on their need and proximity to participating restaurants. The funds provide vital support to the 21,000 people in Victoria without a home. In its sixth year, the campaigns winning formula makes it easy for anyone to get involved and raise vital money for grassroots charities supporting homelessness. Restaurants involved in this year's campaign include Il Solito Posto, Cutler and Co, Oyster Little Bourke, Verge, Gingerboy and Longrain in Melbourne; and regional restaurants GPO in Bendigo and Sticks and Grace in Geelong.

Himalayan Education Charity Foundation
Date	11th of October 2009- 30th March 2011
Fee	$4000 is the target amount for each participant to join these Fundraising Trips, half of which would go towards HECF's Educational Project. The other half covers local tour leader, local guides, local flight, porterage on trek, airport transfer, transport, sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and most meals.
Book	Info@hecf.org.np or contact Julie on 0416365601.
Trip: Annapurna Highlights (11 Days) - Trip combined with cultural adventure, easy walk, wildlife and wilderness. Everest Highlights (11) Days - Adventure trek with moderate walk. A reasonably good level of fitness is required for this trip. HECF is a non-profit registered charity in Nepal. The basic aim is to support underprivileged children with education and financial support to their family. Hecf.org.np for more information

Variety Vietnam Hills Trek and Community Project
Fee	Paticipants must fundraise $7,000 to participate in the trip, half of which will go to Variety. The other half covers airfares, tour leaders and accomodation.
Book	inspiredadventures.com.au or 02 9262 7882
Vietnam Trek is also a great substitute for a health resort with around 14 kilometres gentle trekking a day along village paths, part and parcel of the holiday.

ActionAid Australia

Newly launched anti-poverty charity ActionAid Australia is offering one lucky Aussie an all expenses paid trip to an exotic destination - the only catch, they have to teach the locals to blog. The recently launched anti-poverty agency, with operations in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia and South America, is on the hunt for a Twitter addict with a passion for social justice to send to one of its program countries. Nicknamed Project TOTO (The Overseas Training Operation), ActionAid has launched a nationwide search for a suitable candidate on its blog blogs.actionaid.org.au/toto It's all part of ActionAid's efforts to give poverty a voice by establishing blog outposts around the world.

New SANE website helps teens in families affected by mental illness
Venue	itsallright.org
Date	launched 16 June 2009
SANE Australia will launch itsallright.org - a new version of its website for teenagers with family affected by mental illness. The service aims to make a dramatic difference to teens in these families by providing them with the information and advice they urgently need, integrated with an online Helpline to answer specific questions. Features of itsallright.org: -Diaries of four teenagers based on real stories -An online Helpline for teenagers to ask questions about mental illness and related topics -Factsheets on everything from antidepressants to eating disorders; family support to treatment and recovery -Podcasts which provide information about different mental health problems and treatment. SANE estimates half a million young Australians have a brother, sister or parent with a mental illness. Growing up with mental illness in the family can often be a confusing and lonely experience: home life may involve episodic illness or periods of hospitalization for their parent or other relative, poverty, and even homelessness. The impact on teenagers with mental illness in the family can be profound: often leaving them feeling distressed and isolated. Many may be forced to grow up early and look after their parents or siblings. Teenagers with a family member affected by mental illness are also more likely to become depressed themselves -- part of a vicious circle that can be difficult to escape. SANE Australia: A national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness through education, research, and campaigning for improved services and attitudes. SANE operates Australia's only national Freecall Helpline providing information and advice about symptoms, treatment and support services for mental illness: 1800 18 SANE (7263).

VIXENS
Venue	Hisence Arena
Date	2009 Season
Book	www.ticketek.com.au

MELBOURNE STORM HOME GAMES 2009 SEASON
Venue	Olympic Park Stadium
Date	2009 Season
Fee	www.ticketek.com.au

Help Transform Homelessness

Each person who visits www.transformhomelessness.com.au can raise $1 to help transform the lives of the 105,000 Australians who are without a home every night.1 All you have to do is create a pair of butterfly wings - Mission Australia's symbol of positive transformation - of your own. Because for every butterfly created, Bayer will donate $1 to help Mission Australia transform the lives of the most disadvantaged people in our communities. We're aiming for a $60,000 2 donation - and that means we need 60,000 people to create 60,000 butterflies. So spread the word - once you've added your butterfly, ask your friends, workmates and family to do the same!

Share a bite to help fight Diabetes
Book	Help the fight against diabetes. Register today by calling: 1300 136 588 or go to www.greataustralianbite.com.au.
This April, people from across NSW will be sharing food, having fun and enjoying friendships as they get together for the 'Great Australian Bite' to help raise money for those living with diabetes in Australia. Hosting a bite is as easy as 1, 2, 3… 1. Register to host a 'bite' anytime during April. 2. Invite workmates, friends or family to share a 'bite' to eat. 3. Donate - ask your guests for a donation. A 'bite" can be held anywhere, at any time - a picnic in the park, a sausage sizzle at your local social club, a BBQ with friends or coffee and cake in the office - you choose. Whether your bite is with a few mates or the whole town, you'll be making a donation to Diabetes Australia-NSW and doing your bit to support people with diabetes and help fund research. With the ongoing support of our sponsor, Pinnacle Print Management, all funds raised from the Great Australian Bite will directly support our awareness, research, education and advocacy programs.

Red Cross Good Start Breakfast Club

As many people notice the arrival of Easter Eggs, Bunnies and Buns on shelves, Coles and Red Cross prepare for yet another year providing primary school children across Australia with fuel for a busy day of learning. Coles Supermarkets has started the Easter spirit early, and for good reason. For the third consecutive year Coles will donate $250,000 to the Red Cross Good Start Breakfast Club from proceeds generated by the sales of Coles Hot Cross Buns. The Good Start Breakfast Club is an initiative designed to combat nutrition problems by providing free breakfasts and nutrition education to primary school children in greatest need in metropolitan areas and more than 60 remote communities. According to the Dieticians Association of Australia, as of May last year, one in four children miss breakfast each day. These children are more likely to become over weight and develop health problems such as diabetes. Conversely, it is the issue of malnutrition within remote Indigenous areas that Red Cross nutrition programs are trying to combat, with one in nine Indigenous children in the Northern Territory suffering from malnutrition. There are currently 275 Good Start Breakfast Clubs in operation, offering nutritious breakfasts to children within participating schools at least once a week, serving more than 750,000 meals annually. Customers can now purchase Coles Hot Cross Buns and help support the Australian Red Cross in providing a good start to the day for thousands of children.

Napoleon Perdis and Ovarian Cancer Australia invites you to discover Your Inner Goddess
Time	6pm arrival for a 6.30 start
Fee	$45 pp Includes drink, canapes and special gift bag
Book	admin@ovariancancer.net.au or 1300660334
An intimate event aimed to inspire and empower women, whilst supporting awareness of Ovarian Cancer. Featuring Emanuel Perdis, Managing Director of Napoleon Perdis and Karen Livingstone, CEO and Founding Director of Ovarian Cancer Australia. Melb: Wed 11th Feb Melbourne Marriot Hotel Cnr. Exhibition and Lonsdale St Melb Sydney: Thurs 12th Feb Sydney Vibe Hotel. 111 Gouldburn St Sydney Brisbane: Fri 13th Feb Brisbane Marriott Hotel 515 Queen St Brisbane

Red Cross Warm Fuzzy gift
Book	www.redcross.org.au/warmfuzzy
While many New Year's resolutions fall by the wayside quicker than you can say 'Happy New Year', Red Cross has a good solution that will last that little bit longer, and improve the lives of others in the process. A Red Cross Warm Fuzzy virtual gift provides real assistance for those in need across Australia and around the world, from small deeds such as feeding a hungry child, to larger projects such as helping a community in East Timor achieve its dream of clean, safe drinking water close to home Warm Fuzzy gifts start from $10 each. Some of the gifts available include: -Transport for someone who has difficulty attending a vital medical appointment, $10 -Provide bedding for two when disaster strikes our Pacific neighbours. $13 -Help volunteers provide support to firefighters and other disaster relief workers, $100 -Provide one month's salary and training for a Red Cross coordinator, $300 And because Warm Fuzzy gifts are also a donation, the purchaser will receive a tax deductible receipt from Australian Red Cross

Gen X and Y find new incentive for giving back!
Book	Further information is available at www.madwoman.com.au
Single Volunteers, which was featured on Channel Nine's Today Show this morning, was created by m.a.d.woman to encourage and inspire people to make a positive difference to the community and environment. m.a.d.woman CEO and Founder Melina Schamroth says the unique program has been as success. Waiting lists of around 800 for some events have shown that time-poor people want to give back as well as meet others who share that interest. During the year, Single Volunteers aged 25-45 have taken part in: -Cooking for a Cause - cooked about 8000 meals for hungry and homeless people in Melbourne with partner Fare Share. The meals were cooked using rescued food that would otherwise have gone to landfill. -Gardening for Good - regenerated garden beds at a special garden for disadvantaged and disabled youth at CERES Community Garden and planting trees with Conservation Volunteers -Deeds for Dialysis - putting together packs for 700 patients undergoing dialysis while awaiting a kidney transplant. People of all ages wanting to make a difference have also helped m.a.d.woman by: -Raising funds to power a Midwife on a Motorbike in Timor Leste through Marie Stopes International -Raising funds for sexual health and reproduction packs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders -Buying copies of the m.a.d.woman books - How to be m.a.d. (making a difference) and m.a.d. (making a difference) in a green way. the books are printed on recycled paper using soy ink and a waterless process and half the profits go towards funding social and environmental programs. -Composting using the Earthmaker compost bin, which not only produces twice as much compost as a traditional compost bin, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Good for the garden - great for the planet!

International Passport Day, Summer Cup Royal Randwick
Venue	Royal Randwick Racecourse, Alison Rd, Randwick
Date	Friday December 26
Time	Gates open at 11.30am. First race starts at 1.10pm with the last race at 6.17pm
Fee	Free entry for International Passport holders. $15 General Admission. $5 Pensioners
Enjoy the Christmas long weekend with an international flavour at Royal Randwick. On Friday December 26, Royal Randwick is once again hosting its annual International Passport Day. This means COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY to all patrons who hold an international passport and show it on the day. It also means fabulous international entertainment that will include Irish Folk Band Paddy Melon and other great acts. And there will be clowns available to paint all the flags from around the world and pony rides for children. There will also be amazing international food stalls.

One Off Chance to Own Hand-made Art from Your Fave Celebs
Book	http://wwww.starlight.org.au and click through to the Celebrity Star Auction. Bids close this Sunday 7th December.
The Starlight Children's Foundation is staging a "Celebrity Star Auction" live on eBay NOW, to raise the funds needed between now and Christmas to grant the wishes of 182 seriously ill children who are urgently waiting for their wishes come true. This auction presents a rare opportunity to purchase a framed one-off piece of artwork designed and personally created by favourite Australian celebs including Nicole Kidman, Ken Done, The Veronicas, Bill Granger and Missy Higgins, many of whom have also offered the winning bidder an additional "money can't buy" experience. Bill Granger, for example, is offering to personally serve breakfast for six at Bills as part of his package.