One thing we value at Shift by Design is being able to give back to the community that keeps our business running.
While we unfortunately don’t have a marketing budget to rival Apple, we do what we can to support the causes that we feel we can assist and add value to. We aren’t interested in throwing money away, but we love to know that we can help support those who are trying to make a difference.
The following are a list of events and projects we have been involved with recently:
HELPING ELIMINATE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CHILD LABOR
Shift by Design were recently approached by a volunteer for Carpets for Communities to supply furniture for a stand at the Sustainable Living Expo at PW1 on the Hobart waterfront. We were more than happy to help find the right piece of furniture in our inventory to suit the need, deliver it and collect it after the event had finished. Without the furniture, Carpet for Communities would not have been able to participate in the Sustainable Living Expo silent auction which helped increase their awareness.
We love being part of these things and helping important community work where we can. The stall went on to make $1479.10 in sales which goes back into communities in Cambodia to help at-risk families create a income stream through the production of fair trade registered carpets giving locals a sense of purpose, an income and a way to protect and educate their family.
To visit the Carpets for Communities website, click the logo below:
HELPING FEED THOSE IN A TIME OF NEED
Shift by Design recently received a consignment of Easy Meals to trial and share with friends and family as part of their major promotion. This generous offer from Easy Meals meant 100 pre-packaged meals arrived on our doorstep for circulation. We donated a number to families we knew were doing it tough, but the day after the meals arrived, there was a piece in The Mercury newspaper about The Hobart Benevolent Society’s push to assist clothe and feed Tasmanian families in need during winter.
This really touched us and we decided to donate all the remaining meals to The Hobart Benevolent Society (through parent organisation UnitingCare Tasmania) to distribute to local families who are experiencing financial difficulty.
Great to be able to give to a very worthwhile cause and know that local families are able to have meals on the table this winter.
To visit the UnitingCare Tasmania website, click the logo below:
MS MEGASWIM 24HR CHALLENGE
The DL Plain Face team at the Hobart Aquatic Centre prepare for the next 24hrs in the pool.
The 2012 MS MegaSwim-a-thon was recently held on the 5th and 6th of May at the Hobart Aquatic Centre to raise funds and awareness of Multiple Sclerosis.
A team comprising of friends and colleagues got together to support Shift by Design Director, Donielle Luttrell, who herself is a sufferer of MS, to enter the event with Donielle.
Shift by Design gladly sponsored the team in donation and supplied towels to the crew to dry them off after each leg was completed.
The team put in the hard yards, and managed to not only get through the 24 hours in the pool, but also come 3rd in the event (based on the kilometres swum and the amount of money raised). The team raised in excess of $2700.00 while all Tasmanian teams contributed over $22,000.00 in donations for the event which is a massive effort.
To visit the MS Tasmania website, click the logo below:
DIABETES TASMANIA – MADISON HOUSE
Shift by Design were approached to help furnish and style a charity house that was going to be auctioned with all proceeds going to Diabetes Tasmania. The builder, Andrew Lyden, was the project manager and major supporter as his daughter, Madison, is a sufferer of Diabetes.
Shift by Design, along with our trusty removalists, Move It, donated our time and resources to maximise the selling potential of the property and maximise the returns for Diabetes Tasmania.
The property was sold for over $340,000 which was a great result for the charity.
To read more about Diabetes Tasmania, read the Shift by Design blog or click on the logo below to visit their site.
COMMON GROUND TASMANIA
Shift by Design got involved in the Common Ground Tasmania project to assist with furnishing one of the units in a complex in Hobart’s city centre.
The amazing thing about the Common Ground Tasmania project is their genuine desire to bring to an end homelessness on Hobart streets through the development of low rent affordable accommodation. The unit styled was use to launch the project and also provide the public and politicians an idea of what would be on offer to the long term homeless.
To find out more about Common Ground Tasmania, read the Shift by Design blog or click on the image below to visit their site.
OAK TASMANIA (TAHUNE FIELDS AND OAKDALE INDUSTRIES)
When Shift by Design realised the growth of our massive cushion collection, we had to do something about storage. We’d converted apple bins into upright shelving systems ourselves initially, but the process was time consuming and in bulk, beyond our abilities.
After talking to Oak Tasmania and finding out one of their divisions, Tahune Fields, actually manufactures the boxes, we decided to contract them to produce and supply 20 of the boxes. Another of Oak Tasmania’s divisions was then engaged to shelve the boxes and then fabric line them ready for our cushions.
The great thing about this project was having a local Tasmanian not-for-profit (who employ Tasmanian’s with disabilites) take charge of the project, keep the build within the state and assist build the skills of Tasmanians, who without Oak Tasmania, would most likely be unemployed.
A fantastic win for Shift by Design, we are very proud supporters and fans of the team at Oak Tasmania, Tahune Fields and Oakdale Industries.
To read more about Oak Tasmania, read the Shift by Design blog or visit their website by clicking on either of the logos below
OAK TASMANIA (OAK SEWING SERVICES)
In order to get furniture and accessories to a home to style for sale, you need to pack them carefully so they arrive at the final destination in good condition without damage. Our removalists are careful with our stock, they know the importance of it getting to the property in one piece.
Our biggest challenge has always been transporting linen and cushions. While furniture can be covered with a removalist blanket (and wiped down once at the property) cushions and linen once marked, need to be washed. Not handy when you are relying on using them!
After going through countless large plastic garden rubbish bags, Oak Tasmania offered us a solution we could not resist. Their sewing team took one of the plastic bags and used this as a template to create water resistant plastic coated nylon bags. These bags (complete with draw strings and tie downs) have been in service for well over 12 months, with not one having been damaged. We stuff these things to capacity too, and none of them show any sign of fatigue.
Much like the apple bins, the bags where designed and made by local Tasmanian’s with disabilities and Shift by Design are extremely pleased to be supporters of this important not-for-profit.
To visit the Oak Sewing Service website, click the image below:
