╭✿╯My first Soup Kitchen shift, feeding the homeless and less fortunate. A truly beautiful moment.

We started the shift with a prayer and a worship song, with the homeless. Thereafter, we served them heaps of meals. I'll post all the meals tomorrow. All the food is donated and the meals are cooked by the volunteers. We started preparation at 3pm. From 4pm they started coming in to sit down and eat a buffet meal. Then, at 5:30pm, they were able to take food parcels home in containers and fill their shopping bags. 

The buffet meal consisted of everything you could think of - a 4 course meal which started with chicken soup and veggie soup with naan bread, bread rolls and garlic bread.

The main course included roast chicken, tons of different salads, roasted veggies, beef pasta, vegetable couscous, roast potatoes, fish cakes, braised carrots, coleslaw, broccoli salad, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, etc.

Dessert consisted of caramel slice, apple crumble, rhubarb crumble, with a drizzle of mango pulp, as well as fruit salad with nuts and raisins, fresh fruit (cherries, strawberries, kiwi, mangoes, peaches, plums, nectarines, mangoes, etc. ) Individuals could take punnets of strawberries, bags of cherries,...the works. Fruit dips, yoghurt and other treats were served with the fruit. 

Other treats included doughnuts, cinnamon buns, cakes, danish pastries, chocolate buns, etc. and fresh cold water to drink.

What was left over was packed up, labelled and taken to the Caravan Park in Dandenong for delivery to the homeless and less fortunate there. What a gorgeous setup.

Thereafter, cleaning of the premises took place; from washing dishes, wiping and folding away tables, sweeping...the works. Just got back home now, after 7pm. 

I was asked to be one of the leaders, where I'll also prepare stuff and run shifts. I can hardly wait. These run 4 days a week. I'll volunteer more shifts during the school holidays in 3 weeks time. 
#lieselkippen

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╭✿╯Another Sunday doing the Soup Kitchen shift, feeding the homeless and less fortunate. It's remarkable how God provides all these phenomenal meals through donations and donors. I'll post a video shortly of all the awesome meals provided today. As always each session begins and ends with prayer, a song of praise and a heart of thankfulness & gratitude. Truly beautiful. 

Meals included double and triple trays of: vegetable soup with bread and rolls, roast chicken, roast potatoes and sweet potatoes, coleslaw, salads, rice dishes, noodle dishes, mash & peas, bakes, chicken pies, fruit & veggies (all kinds), cakes, brownies, tarts, Danish pastries, doughnuts, cinnamon buns, scrolls (sweet & savoury), big cakes that individuals could take home whole, pavlovas, nuts, waffles, muffins, custard tarts, etc.... you name it, it was available. What was left over was packed for them to take home. They filled their bags with food parcels. What was left was packed and labelled for the homeless and less fortunate @ the caravan park in Dandenong.

╭✿╯I'm happy to announce that $103.00 was raised for the fundraiser: Homelessness. This has been handed to NATIONAL HOMELESS COLLECTIVE LTD. Thank you so much for your support and your generosity. The winner will be announced tomorrow and the December's fundraiser will be announced on Wednesday. Stay safe and blessed. 

~♪~ ♪♫•* •○*´¯`• ﾚ o √ 乇 •.¸¸.

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╭✿╯A slight addition to the prizes tonight and I'll explain why in an hour's time when I announce the winner. This is the second prize in the same November Fundraiser....another 9ct gold ring with 2 small diamonds and a precious stone. Also, brand new and beautiful. Note: The fundraiser has officially closed. No new entries will be accepted.

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╭✿╯My 2nd email to National Homeless Collective. The 1st email was to confirm that they had received the donation from Facebook. I initially contacted Facebook, asking for records of the donated amount, which they gave me. I then confirmed with the National Homeless Collective that they had received the amount donated. This last email was to inform them of the final amount donated. I'm happy to report that they have received the donation. This was the response from the Director. Once again, thank you so much dear friends & family for your donations. 

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╭✿╯Secret Sis gifts... 

All the ladies should have received their Secret Sis gifts by now. If not, then they are on their way and should reach you by next week, the latest. If you don't receive them next week, let me know. Have a beautifully blessed Christmas.

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╭✿╯December Fundraiser: Cash Grid Donation Game:10 tickets left ($50 donated so far.)

Game rules are listed on the video slide. 

1. When you donate $10 to charity (Homeless Collective), your name will be added in a block. Each block is worth $10.

2. You can purchase as many tickets as you like, to increase your chances of winning.

3. These will be paid via PAYPAL using my email address. This is one of the safest ways to send cash.

4. All transactions are transparent, as names will appear on blocks when payment has been received.

5. My name will NOT be entered into the draw.

6. Draw will be done LIVE. Winner receives 50% of all cash raised.

7. Remainder of cash will be donated to NATIONAL HOMELESS COLLECTIVE. (with proof of this)

8. Closing date: 19 December 2020. I will deposit the winnings on 19/12/20 (am) electronically to winner's account…in time for Christmas (and yes, I have sent cash all over the world, so this won't be difficult if you have a bank account.)

9. Should more blocks be required, these will be added (to increase the donated amount and prize winnings.)

10. Competition is open to individuals all over the world (i.e. ALL Facebook friends), who have a bank account that I can send the winnings to, if you win. 

╭✿╯One lucky donor will win this item of jewellery tonight.
#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lieselkippen 

╭✿╯Hi all...You've waited long enough to hear the results of the November Fundraiser. Initially, there were family members who had donated. Because friends donated too, only friends names were entered into the draw. There were 2 friends who donated, so instead of letting only one friend win, I decided to add another similar gift so that both their donations were acknowledged. Also, because it's the season for Christmas cheer, blessings and love...what better way to show it than to have both participants receive a gift in time for Christmas.

In the video below, the winner is announced. The live draw is captured in the video as well. The winner gets to choose the ring she likes best and the runner up will get the second ring. Both rings are 9ct pure gold, stamped, with diamonds and a precious stone, and brand new. Beautiful gifts for Christmas. Thank you all for your donations and beautifully kind hearts. Truly appreciated. All donations have been received by Homeless Collection Ltd.

Our winner is Katie & our runner up is Litsy. Katie gets to choose her ring and Litsy gets the second one. 

 I'll deliver these to you next weekend, ladies, on Sunday, 20th December... in time for Christmas.

Ring details: Both ladies chose the same ring, so 2 of the same rings were presented as gifts:

9ct yellow gold ring is set with genuine Smoky Topaz.
Details: Genuine solid 9ct yellow gold (stamped 9k & 375)
Size: UK Size N, US Size 7
Gemstone: Genuine 3 carats of Smoky Topaz Gemstone size: 8 x 10 mm, oval cut, 1 pc
Diamond: 2 genuine diamonds 0.028 cts (1 mm round)
Total Weight: Approximate 1.7 grams 

Turn on sound. 

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lieselkippen 

╭✿╯Yay. My diary has finally arrived, which will be used to organise all my platform (Homelessness) and pageant initiatives next year. Can’t wait to start recording valuable information into it. 

 I'll tag a few ladies in Aus. If others would like to join, feel free. No pressure at all. 

 If you'd prefer not to participate, that's okay. 

I've copied and pasted the information below.
Anyone is welcome to join in. I’m sure there are a few ladies who would appreciate some fun for the remainder of 2020 and a little gift for surviving 2020. It will also be a nice way of ending this memorable year, so let’s give this a go. This endeavour is called "Secret Sister" and because I was tagged and agreed to participate, this message now follows. 

SECRET SISTER is back! I am looking for some girlfriends who are interested in a Christmas gift exchange. It doesn’t matter where you live in the world - you are welcome to join. I haven't invited my South African friends and family because gifts take months to arrive. 

 All you have to do is to buy ONE gift valued at a minimum of $10 and send it to your Secret Sis. I will share this information with you. You will then receive a gift in return.

Christmas is the busiest and most stressful time of year for a lot of us, so we could all use some happy mail.

The ladies loved sending a gift to a complete stranger knowing that she would have a bright spot in her day because of what was sent 

Let me know if you’re interested, and I will send you the mailing info of your secret sister.

****Please only respond if you're committed to sending ONE $10 gift otherwise some of our beautiful sisters will miss out. Also, if you get stuck on instructions please reach out to me. 

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant 

╭✿╯Participants in my weekly volunteer English & Maths tuition classes will have a break over the Christmas period as they have priorities and family responsibilities, especially during Christmas and New Year. We’ll continue with lessons after New Year. 

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lieselkippen 

Have a beautiful Christmas & New Year, dear friends and family. 

╭✿╯ Merry Christmas, Katie. I'd like to drop off your prize , either tomorrow, Wednesday or Thursday. Let me know which day and time suit you best. I'd like to take a photo of you receiving the prize as well. Tons of love, my beautiful friend. 

Note: Click on picture to see hidden message. 

~♪~ ♪♫•* •○*´¯`• ﾚ o √ 乇 •.¸¸.

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lieselkippen 

╭✿╯Hi dear friends & family
My chosen platform is “Homelessness, poverty and the disadvantaged”, which I’m PASSIONATE about. My platform goal is dedicated to adding quality of life to others. I've finally managed to get my Pageant page sorted, which focuses on my cause. It took 2 days to add posts relating to this cause to this page. These include; Op Shop volunteer work, Charity work, Fundraisers, Homeless efforts & my Pageant platform. The link to this page is 

https://www.facebook.com/AngelHeartPageantJourney

I've also added it as my current job on the top left-hand corner of my Facebook page. 

These posts can still be viewed in my Facebook album ‘MAKING A DIFFERENCE’ or by typing/ clicking the link:
#lieselkippen

This page enables the judges to frequently view this page without having to sift through 100s of posts that don't relate to my cause. When looking up my name, both pages will come up (this page and my Fb wall) so don't be alarmed. 

 I've merely made a separate page for all these treasured posts. It's still a work in progress but I'm getting there. I'm unable to tag this page on my wall, so posts relating to this cause will continue to be posted on my wall and on this new page. (double-dipping, I know. 

My Facebook Page is still my MAIN page where I'll continue posting inspirational and thought-provoking posts daily and where I'll continue to thank and praise God for His FAITHFULNESS, or add an occasional humorous note or reflection.

I'll send invites to all my friends to join this new page. I'd LOVE you to accept this page invitation because you'll be part of my mission to make a difference, impact positively on life and add quality & value to life. You'll also be kept updated on initiatives linked to making a difference to the quality of life of others. 

Thank you, dear friends and family, for adding quality, value and meaning to my life. I love you all dearly. Have a beautifully blessed Christmas. 

p.s. I've also added links to my social media pages (blogger.com, youtube.com/c/LieselKippen & https://padlet.com/liesel2021/Bookmarks) at the bottom of my note for easy access to these posts.

Turn on sound. 

╭✿╯Yay. Katie gets to choose her ring from these 2. I wonder which one she'll go for? I'll let you know this evening after I've dropped off her gift. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lieselkippen 

Ring details: Both ladies chose the same ring, so 2 of the same rings were presented as gifts:

9ct yellow gold ring is set with genuine Smoky Topaz.
Details: Genuine solid 9ct yellow gold (stamped 9k & 375)
Size: UK Size N, US Size 7
Gemstone: Genuine 3 carats of Smoky Topaz Gemstone size: 8 x 10 mm, oval cut, 1 pc
Diamond: 2 genuine diamonds 0.028 cts (1 mm round)
Total Weight: Approximate 1.7 grams 

#australianinternationalpageant
#extendingmyreach
#lieselkippen
#makingadifference

╭✿╯Soup kitchen shift yesterday (27/12/20)

Unpacking the food items and getting ready to set up for serving. Savoury dishes ranged from roast chicken to a variety of veggie bakes, ravioli, bakes veggies, salads, beef pasta, chicken salad, bean dishes, potato gratin and more...

Some awesome meals for those less fortunate & homeless. Yummy treats for them to take home too, including whole cakes, donuts, danish pastries, croissants, lemon tarts, fresh cream cakes, choc brownies, choc cake bars, fruit and veggies, a variety of different bread, large cheese blocks and some salmon, avocado and scrambled egg portions.

Three people had birthdays as well, so we sang "Happy Birthday" to them and treated everyone to a slice of pavlova with fresh fruit, cream, passion fruit pulp and fruit coulis. 

Banged my shin that many times while packing away and carting trestle tables independently, at the end of the evening. I'll have that many scars at the end of my journey, that's for sure. 

Turn on sound. 

╭✿╯As a fundraising initiative for January 2021, a Homeless Sleep-out will be hosted in Casey on Saturday 16 January 2021. This overnight event is an opportunity to come together and raise funds for homelessness. City of Casey, Mayor, Geoff Ablett, highlighted that homelessness is continuing to increase across our municipality and is often an issue that gets overlooked and misunderstood. “Within our City, alone, we have over 1,280 people experiencing homelessness.”

Sleeping rough provides a very real connection with the harsh reality of life faced by many homeless individuals. The sleep-out is an important opportunity to raise awareness within our community and encourage action. We hope that this fundraising initiative will allow us to not only raise valuable funds for homeless services in the community and state but to also gain a deeper understanding of homelessness and the realities faced by those less fortunate than us. Join us in this event, either by actively participating in the sleep-out or by donating towards this cause. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

ALL proceeds will be donated to the National Homeless Collective. What a great way to end an unfathomable year, which has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many worldwide.

A testimony from a “sleep-out” participant from Knox Grammar:
“When I arrived at the sleep-out, at first it was still warm and I felt excited about the novelty of trying to sleep on a hard floor with no pillow, no mattress or sleeping bag. We spent time together on reflection tasks trying to imagine if we were homeless how we would survive. We talked about feeling hungry, feeling vulnerable, feeling scared. I started to feel hungry. I started to become tired and I started to wish for my own bed, my own room and my own family. It was going to be a long night. Between 2am and 5am all I could think of was trying to stay warm, trying to fall asleep. I could do neither. As I walked in my front door, I smelled bacon, toast and craved fresh orange juice. I felt dirty, smelly and wanted to brush my teeth. After a shower and breakfast, I crawled into my warm, soft bed and fell fast asleep for 2 hours. It never felt so good. We are now more aware and we have experienced in some small way, even if for only one night, what it feels like to be homeless. We came home - the homeless on our streets don’t.”

What your donation provides:
$10=1 meal for a homeless individual
$40 = a bed for the night for homeless youths.

Participant information:
* Venue to be confirmed. Suggestions welcome.
* Equipment: 1 x sleeping bag – nothing else. (BYO)
* Food – 2 x tins of food per person - unlabelled - no cutlery or
crockery (tins supplied)
* Beverage – 1 x bottled water (supplied)
* No change of clothes other than what is worn on the day.
* Arrival @ venue ~ 5pm. Departure from venue: 8am. (14 hours)
* All donations and/or lists to be handed in on Monday, 17/01/21 for donation to National Homeless Collective. A receipt of the transaction and transaction details will be uploaded to this document and on social media (Facebook).

A special and huge thank you to Katie Brennan for this absolutely phenomenal idea for fundraising for this powerful cause. You rock, my beautiful friend. 

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lieselkippen 

#australianinternationalpageant
#extendingmyreach
#lieselkippen
#makingadifference

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant

The road I needed to drive on to make the deliveries, was closed for road works and maintenance, (gotta love it 

 ) ....on the day that I needed loads of food, yoghurts, milkshakes, etc. to be delivered to the homeless. I parked a street away (expecting a fine on my return) and walked to the location to get more hands on deck. These 2 gents from the place helped carry all the food.

After the 2nd trip of carting stuff to and from Cherry Bubble, the gents decided to get a trolley. 

 (good call!  ). I seriously felt like I was in the Bronx, the Ghettos or Johannesburg, hence my background music. 

A psychologically powerful eye-opener & heart-wrencher to the realities of the hardships and suffering faced by others. 

Turn on sound. 

╭✿╯I approached the Council regarding the use of the Botanical Gardens as a venue for our sleep-out fundraiser (for homelessness) on 16/1/21. It's fully booked so we are unable to use it, but I love the offer from the council's co-ordinator to have their team work with me on fundraising initiatives in the future, as well as the opportunity to use the Botanical Gardens at a later stage & not during peak season. A great start to my New Year Fundraising. 

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant

╭✿╯Charity Fundraiser: Homelessness Sleep-Out
A Zoom or Google Meet session is scheduled for tonight @ 6:30pm, with the participants of the Sleep-Out, to discuss the fundraising event. I'm happy to announce that $600 has been raised so far for this event, with Katie raising the most funds thus far. What a phenomenal lady. Love her to bits. Thank you for your support, my beautiful friend. Thank you to others who have supported as well. Truly appreciated. All proceeds go to the National Melbourne Homeless Collective. 

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant

╭✿╯An interview with Laura Ratliff today; themed "Success stories". Can hardly wait. 

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant

#lieselkippen
#makingadifference
#australianinternationalpageant

This pageant journey is definitely one of unchartered territory and is teaching me valuable life lessons... understanding others, self-restraint & self-control (a big one), empathy, being streetwise and to be aware of the many different walks of life faced by so many. 

[St. Kilda Salvation Army Crisis Centre provides financial and material support, as well as support for housing, family violence and AOD.] 

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸ღ *✻ღ *✻ღ 

╭✿╯

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╭✿╯I shared this post 4 years ago on my wall. It's as powerful then as it is now. Homelessness... 

In life, everyone has gone through a story that has changed them. Everyone is facing a battle that we know nothing about. Too often we under-estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, act or gesture... all of which have the POTENTIAL & POWER to turn a life around. With these powerful thoughts in mind, I’d like to introduce you once again to my chosen platform, “Homelessness, poverty and the disadvantaged”, which I’m PASSIONATE about.”

Let's make a DIFFERENCE, take a STAND and take ACTION! We don’t need to be rich, famous, notorious, strikingly beautiful, flawless, young or perfect in order to help others… we simply need to CARE, show COMPASSION and have EMPATHY.  

A powerful statement made in this short 1-minute video clip, "Anyone can become homeless. It does n't matter who you are!" 

 Ms Australia International State Finalist Victoria    

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╭✿╯Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!! Christmas 2020

 It's Christmas day. Wishing you an absolutely beautiful & memorable Christmas day with family & loved ones. Thanking God for my Facebook family & friends & wishing His abundant blessings upon your lives. With much love, from Lee & her family.  

I've put together a video for this Christmas morning. It has been the MOST PAINFUL endeavour with uploading. It took 4 hrs literally, with all the technical shenanigans. Not my best creation, but given the year 2020 has been, this will have to do. 

[Turn on sound.]

★　° :.　 . • ○ ° ★　 *　.　　　　. 　 ° 　. ● .　　　　° ☾ °☆ 　¸. ● .　　★　　★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ 　★　 :.　 . • ○ ° ★　 .　 *　.　.　　¸ .　　 ° 　¸. * ● ¸ .　　　　° ☾ ° 　¸. ● ¸ .　　★　° :.　 . • ° 　　 *　:.　.　

~♪~ ♪♫•* •○*´¯`• ﾚ o √ 乇 •.¸¸.

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸ღ *✻ღ

╭✿╯Wakey, wakey, everyone. It's Christmas morning. Wishing you an absolutely beautiful & memorable Christmas day with family & loved ones. Thanking God for my Facebook family & friends & wishing His abundant blessings upon your lives. With much love, from Lee & her family.

★　° :.　 . • ○ ° ★　 *　.　　　　. 　 ° 　. ● .　　　　° ☾ °☆ 　¸. ● .　　★　　★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ 　★　 :.　 . • ○ ° ★　 .　 *　.　.　　¸ .　　 ° 　¸. * ● ¸ .　　　　° ☾ ° 　¸. ● ¸ .　　★　° :.　 . • ° 　　 *　:.　.　

~♪~ ♪♫•* •○*´¯`• ﾚ o √ 乇 •.¸¸.

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸ღღ

╭✿╯An awesome interview with Katie Brennan, our November prize winner and my dearest friend. Katie participated in our November Fundraiser which aimed to raise awareness and much-needed funds for Homelessness. All funds from this fundraiser have been donated to the National Melbourne Homeless Collective Charity Group. Katie shares some powerful thoughts, which you don't want to miss. Join us in this powerful interview between Katie and me. 

[Turn on sound.] 

★　° :.　 . • ○ ° ★　 *　.　　　　.

#australianinternationalpageant

https://lee-anty1.blogspot.com/.../making-difference-in...

https://padlet.com/liesel2021/Bookmarks

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lieselkippen

Acknowledgements:   

#reelmanagement   

  Ms Australia International State Finalist Victoria