About Us
Our five Co-Founders, Chris Rafter, Stephanie Hinrichs, Sandra Baker, Julie French and Matilda Frijters began Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc. in Feb 2018, immediately after a similar charity they were sewing for, Project Love and Care, closed.
Our current management team since May 2023 are Julie French (President), Lisa McKay (Vice President), Stephanie Hinrichs (Secretary/Social Media/Website/Grant Writer), Sandra Baker (Treasurer), Matilda Frijters (Packing Shed Supervisor) , Jacqui Avetisoff (Sewing Room Operations), Jennifer Sorenson and Sharon Baldwinson (Orders Team). Our membership has since increased to over 70 volunteers. Many community partnerships have been fostered, and Care Kits have reached children all over Queensland including west to Mt Isa and north to Cooktown.
We are all volunteers, relying solely on donations, fundraising and grants to provide our comprehensive, free Care Kits at point of need. We have assisted nearly 10,000 children in care or crisis since 2018. Sadly, demand keeps increasing – so we keep making a difference for more and more children aged between 0 and 17 every year.
In 2023, our volunteers all stepped up to meet unprecedented requests for over 3,700 Care Kits for children in need throughout Qld.
We are blessed to have an active community of amazing people of all ages and from all sectors around Queensland who support us in so many ways.
Our own, and supporting, sewing, crafting and quilting communities welcome all ages including many seniors, creating clothing, soft toys, bags, pencil cases, hair accessories, bracelets, quilts and wraps for our Care Kits from donated fabrics and yarn.
Total items made by CKKQ Sewing Room Volunteers 2023: 4,466 units
Total fabric saved from landfill in 2023: 375.112 kg.
We actively encourage our community to support our #waronwaste and #circular economy ethics.
We also have many generous people, school children from kindy to universities, service and social organisations, businesses, and community leaders who support us by
* providing items we need for the Care Kits,
* donating them via their local MP’s or Councillor’s‘ offices or Community Centres, or by
* donating financially so we can buy shortfalls, or by
* providing transport of Care Kits to remote and regional destinations.
These are acknowleged on Our Partners or on our Facebook Page.
Anything we can’t use is passed on to others who can use it.
We have sewing and craft groups who create clothing and other items for our Care Kits from donated fabrics and notions, supporting #waronwaste and #circulareconomy ethics.
What We Do
We #giveback
We provide an opportunity for people, organisations and businesses to give back to their community so no child has to go without basic necessities, comfort or hope. DONATION POINTS are at MPs' and Councillors' offices around greater Brisbane.
We are #community
Since we began in Feb 2018, we have developed ever-growing networks with volunteers and supporters from all sectors of our community: school children to seniors; craft and community groups and businesses, large and small. Our giving, caring community is simply amazing!
We #waronwaste
Join our volunteers who create clothing, accessories, pencil cases, toys etc for Care Kits from donated fabric & yarn. Virtually nothing goes to landfill; textiles we can't use go to others who can use it. Join our sewing / craft groups. Or recycle your containers for us.
We #educate
We can be booked for presentations to community organisations, schools and businesses around greater Brisbane, where we demonstrate Care Kit contents and the huge need for our Queensland community to help children in crisis or entering foster care.
We #fillthegap
We supply free size/age-specific Care Kits at point of need
throughout Queensland to
💖 Qld Police Child Protection units,
💖 Qld Child Safety agencies,
💖 Foster and Kinship Care agencies,
💖 Domestic Violence agencies
💖 School and other programmes
We Are #childsafe
All Care Kit contents are approved and reviewed as safe and relevant by Child Safety officers: “Your Care Kits are amazing. They have everything a child needs and nothing that they shouldn’t have.” (Child Safety Officer Qld, 2020)
More Reviews & Impact Stories
. One little girl who has received a bag, came to school today with her hair done up in the little scrunchies from her bag, carrying the teddy that was also included, with a big smile on her face.
You are a fantastic group of people. I have told students in need that there a community of people who care for them packing and hand making the contents of the bag, made possible by the broader community who send donations. It’s a really beautiful example to show children, especially children who are feeling isolated in their home lives.
Also just something to be shared with the team - another little girl in year 2 who had received a [Care Kit] bag was so proud of her bag that she wore the pink bag tag (the cardboard that says Care Kits for Kids, and the size of the clothing) as a necklace for the whole day yesterday. It’s so sweet just how appreciative they are of things other children in different circumstances might take for granted. Very special.
Here are some of the comments that the kids/parents gave:
"Oh look mummy I have my own toothbrush now" (7yr old girl)
"Is this all for me?" (13yr girl)
"I am so grateful for this. I haven't been able to afford to buy the kids new pjs or a school bag so thank you so much" (Mother)
"OMG Minecraft pjs! NO WAY!! This is the best thing eva!!" (11yr old boy)
I wasn't able to get consent for pictures from the families unfortunately but can I say that there are no words to express the joy on their faces when we delivered these goodies!!!! ,
I remember clearly a student was running towards me with the big smile on her face saying: "Thank you for my new bag pack! and I even got new clothes in it. I don't have many clothes but this is so awesome!"
Also it seems like we have put a quite large order in this time.
It is winter time, and we have so many students coming in school and still wearing summer shorts.
The family situation is so complex and difficult, it would be so helpful to get some warm clothes for these kids.
Can we please have lots of the crochet stress balls? The kids adore them.
So do we! 😀 Thank You All!!
Awards and Grants
The Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc team has been recognised through Awards, and are very grateful to be partially funded by occasional Grants and generous donations:
FINALIST Westfield Local Hero 2024 – Stephanie Hinrichs representing Care Kits for Kids Qld. Voting is open till 9/9/24 at:
bit.ly/
QR Code to Vote:
WINNER: Queensland Volunteering Impact Award (2024)
Presented in recognition of a community volunteering program or activity that has made a positive, measurable and sustainable social and/or economic impact on the Queensland community.
Queensland Community Achievement Awards
WINNER: QLD Family and Child Commission Dedicated to Supporting Young Queenslanders Award (2023)
The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) upholds a set of fundamental beliefs that underpin our commitment to supporting young Queenslanders. Established in 2014, the QFCC believes in promoting the safety, well-being, and best interests of children and young people, as well as the crucial roles of families and communities in protection and care. By sponsoring the Dedicated to Supporting Young Queenslanders Award, the QFCC further reinforces these beliefs by recognizing and celebrating individuals or organisations that share our vision and actively work towards empowering and uplifting young Queenslanders. This Award serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive environment for the growth and development of young people throughout the state.
FINALIST: Bendigo Bank Community Group of the Year Award (2023, 2022)
With a presence across cities, regions and remote areas, Bendigo Bank strives to support and be a part of the communities in which it operates. The Bendigo Bank Community Group of the Year Award recognises groups, organisations and not for profits that share a strong sense of team spirit and play a vital role in enhancing meaningful connections and social wellbeing in their community.
Whether it be working on an event, project, initiative, providing a service or program, support or any type of community activity, the award will recognise groups, organisations and not for profits that bring people together, by providing support programs and services, connection and engagement programs and encouraging inclusion for all members of the community.
It is important to recognise and celebrate these groups, as their efforts help to make strong and vibrant communities, which is a benefit to us all. FINALIST: Queensland Community Volunteering Program Impact Award 2023
Presented in recognition of a community volunteering program or activity that has made a positive, measurable and sustainable social and/or economic impact on the Queensland community.
Lord Mayors Charitable Trust Grants (2024 / 2023 / 2022 / 2021)
Easts Leagues Foundation – Community Benefit Fund (2024)
JAL Dance for a Difference Concert (2024)
Griffith Volunteer Grant – Max Chandler-Mather MP (2024)
Officeworks Make A Difference Appeal (June 2023)
Civic Solutions Grant (2023)
Club Southside Grants (2023)
Macquarie Group Foundation Grant (2023)
Brisbane Broncos Charity Fund Grant (2023)
Griffith Stronger Communities Grant – Max Chandler-Mather MP (2023)
Qld Line Dance Association (2023)
BMD Community Assistance Grant (2023)
Children’s Week Grant – Children’s Rights Queensland (2023, 2022)
Trefoil Guild Qld 2022/23
CommBank Staff Foundation Grants 2021 / 2022
Kedron Wavell Services Inc Community Grant 2022
HIGHLY COMMENDED WasteSMART Community Award 2022
FINALIST Outstanding WasteSMART Award,
FINALIST People’s Choice WasteSMART Award (2021)
Lord Mayor’s Community Fund Grants (2022, 2021, 2019)
Westfield Carindale Local Heroes Award Finalist Grant (2022)
Westfund Sponsorship Grant (2021)
Bonner Volunteer Awards (Community Groups)
Finalist in Australia Pacific LNG Community Hero Award (2021)
Electorate Queensland Day Award (2020) from Hon Di Farmer MP, Queensland’s Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence – Chris Rafter (President) representing the Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc. team (2022, 2020)
RACQ Local Sponsorship Grant (2020)
Electorate Volunteers Grant from Terri Butler MP (2020)
Finalist in Waste Smart Brisbane Awards: Chris Rafter (President) representing the Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc. team (2020)
Bonner Local Legend Award to Chris Rafter (President) representing the Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc. team (2020)4
