Give a Frock

Sacred Heart Mission is proud to boast its 2019 'Give A Frock' campaign includes two new ambassadors, an iconic new op shop location on Chapel Street and improved events- all designed to get the community behind our 12 Melbourne second-hand shops, which raise important funds for its work. Returning for its fifth year, this year's 'Give A Frock' campaign brings with it fashion columnist, reporter and stylist at the Herald Sun and Weekly Times, Anna Byrne, supported by Australia's most sought-after stylist, Elliot Garnaut, as new ambassadors who will both host lucrative fashion events.

Aimed to raise essential funds for the Woman's House, which supports women experiencing homelessness, the op shop campaign will be held earlier this year kicking off in August with a Launch Party at the Prahran op shop and finishing in September at our newest shop on Chapel Street.

The 'Give A Frock' campaign first launched in 2015 when D'Arne Finnis, St Kilda Football Club's CEO Matt Finnis' wife and friend of the Mission, wore a dress she bought from the Mission's South Melbourne op shop to the Brownlow Medal red carpet. Other women from the fashion and AFL worlds, including AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan's wife Laura McLachlan, followed suit by donating their pre-loved frocks from the Brownlow and other events, and thus the 'Give A Frock' campaign was born.

Now run under the banner of 'Women for Women', a passionate women-only volunteer committee, the op shop campaign raises important funds for the Women's House which supports those who may be socially isolated.

On any given night, there are more than 22,000 Victorians experiencing homelessness, with nearly 10,000 of these being women. Our Women's House has over 500 women accessing its support services; women who are often in crisis or experiencing difficulties due to a range of issues, including family violence, poverty, sexual abuse, physical and mental illness and problematic drug and alcohol use. A donation of $50 will fund one woman's visit to Women's House for support. Sacred Heart Mission has a long history of effectively assisting the most disadvantaged members of our community to rebuild their lives. Since opening its doors in 1982, the Mission has evolved into an innovative organisation, sustained by a deep pool of generosity and support from the community.

This year, a Give A Frock Launch Party, featuring guest speakers from Sacred Heart Mission's Women 4 Women (W4W) committee and Women's House and where guests will come together to hear the stories behind the women who use the services, will be held on Thursday 1st August and will set the tone for the campaign.

Our corporate and private Give A Frock Parties will run from the 1st to the 28th August and will see fashion labels, businesses, AFL clubs and private donors hosting parties and donating their designer clothing. On Saturday 17th August, we will be holding a Give A Frock 'Donation Day', where people from all across Melbourne will be able to pop into one of our 12 op shops to donate their frocks directly to the cause, and our ambassadors Anna Byrne and Elliot Garnuat will be at our Prahran store to greet customers, style the store and conduct tv interviews. Our Pop Up Op Shop, designed by Elliot Garnaut launches on Friday 30th August with a VIP party. A deluxe op shopping experience, with the store operating for two weeks only until Sunday 15th September, shoppers will be able grab high-end and designer clothes and accessories at op shop prices!