While stores have been donating water, packing boxes and tape, powerbanks, respirator masks and other much needed goods at a local level, Officeworks has announced a national fundraising day for bushfire affected communities.
On Friday 24 January, customers will have the opportunity to donate to schools and families in communities impacted by the bushfires in all 167 stores across the country and online, with Officeworks matching total funds raised.
The retailer is also working with business groups and associations in key bushfire regions to identify its micro, small and medium business customers that have been impacted, so that it can provide support with extended credit terms or other financial support.
Officeworks Acting Managing Director, Michael Howard, said: “We know it’s an incredibly challenging time for our team members and customers in parts of Australia that have been devastated by the bushfires. Making meaningful connections with and contributions to the communities where we live and work is something we’re committed to as a business, so we’re really proud of many our store teams who have been quick to act and support those that needed it the most. Like so many, we have felt passionately about supporting communities impacted by the bushfires more broadly, so we’re pleased to be able to do our bit nationally by hosting a fundraising day in a few weeks.”
Officeworks has set up workplace giving to allow its nearly 8000 team members across the country to donate to The Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, directly from their pay.
Officeworks will also support team members with paid leave if they are a part of the volunteer services fighting the bushfires across Australia.
“We acknowledge that many of our team members have been volunteering their time to assist the communities impacted by the bushfires and we want to ensure we can support them in their efforts,” he said.
“We’re pleased to be making paid leave available for our team members when volunteering for a recognised emergency management body such as the CFA, RFS and SES. We feel this goes some way in acknowledging the valuable role our team play in these communities.
Our thoughts go out to all our team members, customers, supplier partners and their families and friends impacted by fires across the country. We join others in saying a huge thank you to everyone involved for their efforts to support these communities in need so far, and with the challenges ahead,” he said.
