The Basket Brigade delivers the presents and the Christmas spirit
By Rebecka Delforce
They call themselves the Basket Brigade because, for the past 11 years, their gift to Australian society has come via a bevy of pretty baskets hand-delivered in the 'silly season' to the less fortunate. But there's nothing silly about the baskets. They're filled with food staples and treats for those who would otherwise go without at Christmas – the homeless, elderly and underprivileged.
"We work in teams across the country," said Julie Bowden, director of the Magic Moments Foundation and an avid member of the Sydney Basket Brigade. "We fundraise and source potential sponsors throughout the year, but the project begins in earnest each October when the products for the baskets start to filter in. One of the first jobs for each team is to find a warehouse where they can store everything – which might sound easy. I'm in the Eastern suburbs area and last year, we 'borrowed' a 4,500 square metre warehouse from DHL but it's been demolished now, so we're on the lookout again!"
As usual, the warehouse will be an integral part of the project. Not only will it store the alms (Christmas puddings, biscuits, lollies and mince pies), to be delivered on Saturday, December 17, but it will double as a huge packing shed while hundreds of volunteer packers are descending upon it – and upon other warehouses around the country – to sort, select and wrap all manner of goodies into an estimated 6,000 hamper baskets.
"The vibe is electric", said Russell Wood, an e-commerce manager with DHL, who volunteered last year alongside his two sons, Christian (aged 11) and Mitchell (aged 8). "We turned up at the Eastern Sydney warehouse at 8am, when many products had already been delivered but, within half an hour, the shed was a hive of activity. Last-minute deliveries began arriving, scores of volunteer packers filed in, people were madly selecting and packing according to the list they'd been given by their Basket Brigade coordinators. There was an amazing buzz! Christian and Mitchell had an absolute ball – there was so much to do and see. They completely got what it was about and understood that we were creating baskets for people who weren't as well-off, that these baskets might go to an elderly person in care with no family or to a young, needy family without money to spend at Christmas. We packed baskets till about 2pm and then we did two deliveries. It was great to see the surprise and appreciation on people's faces. Then, we headed back to the shed for a bit more basket packing and another delivery before finally heading home. We were exhausted but truly we were very happy – the feeling of having given back is indescribable."
Interestingly, the Basket Brigade does not deliver as a charity. "There's a reason", said Julie. "So that the beneficiaries do not feel as if they are accepting a handout, we say that we are the courier or delivery person and that the basket is from 'someone who cares' – as it truly is!" This concept was built into the project by the Basket Brigade's international founder, US motivational speaker and author, Anthony Robbins. As Julie said: "Anthony talks about experiencing the kindness of a stranger when, as a child one Thanksgiving, his family had no money and his parents were arguing. Amid the chaos, a hamper was delivered to the family home. When the father told the caller that his family didn't accept handouts, the caller replied that this wasn't a handout and that he was merely a courier delivering a gift 'from someone who cares'. Anthony never forgot and, at 17, delivered three baskets to needy neighbours and so began what is today known as the Anthony Robbins Foundation's International Basket Brigade, which annually provides food for more than two million people in 56 countries.
Julie explained: "The beauty of the system is that anyone can start a brigade. You simply just call us and we'll help you get things underway. And, of course, there are other ways you can be of service: you can donate money (which will be used to buy food for the baskets), volunteer (to pack on the day or to help collect and store products during the weeks leading up to packing day) or you can simply help out by seeing if your local supermarket would be willing to donate any produce. You could, of course, also help out with the Sydney-based Granny Wish List program."
"This program organised by the Basket Brigade has been designed for elderly people who are destitute and living in homes," said Julie. "Basically, we ask grannies – and granddads – to write down what they would like to receive as a gift. Last year, an 80-year-old lady advised she would like some pink nail polish, a nightdress and some chocolate, while an elderly gentleman told his carer he just wanted some sheets that weren't threadbare. The list is then passed on to anyone willing to source and purchase the gifts."
"When volunteers decide to 'adopt a granny' by ensuring she gets all the things on her list, they'll quickly set to work asking friends, colleagues and family for donations. Our 'threadbare sheets man' found himself with not one but two sets of new sheets, some brand new pyjamas and a huge hamper of food and Christmas fare," Julie said. "Last year we took care of 76 grannies and granddads, some living in home care and some in homes. This year, we hope to grant more than 100 Granny Wish Lists".
More information
To volunteer or donate food to the Basket Brigade in your state or to adopt a granny in Sydney, visit www.magicmoments.org.au
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au
www.volunteering.com.au