00:00At Officeworks, we believe every child should have equal access to education, no matter
00:08their background, and the back-to-school appeal sits right at the heart of this commitment.
00:13This year, we're aiming to raise $1 million to support over 1,400 students through the
00:17Smith Family's Learning for Life program, helping with essentials like shoes, supplies,
00:23access to digital devices, as well as mentoring and tutoring so they can stay engaged and
00:27thrive in their education.
00:29The Smith Family partnership's been around for over 13 years and it's grown from something
00:34quite small to something quite big.
00:36It's important because our team members can see the work that they do, helping collect money
00:40goes directly back to children and that's really important for our team and it's also
00:44a reflection of the great work that the Smith Family does.
00:46Schools changed significantly from when I went to school, it was paper and pens.
00:51Now it's technology and if you don't have access to the technology, it doesn't give you that
00:56start that everybody else has.
00:57So it's super important through the generosity of our customers, team members' collection,
01:02the Smith Family to give access to everybody so they've got that same start.
01:04Together, we're not just raising money, we're giving thousands of kids a better start to
01:09the year and in turn helping to make bigger things happen every day.
01:12If you're able to give a few dollars, it can make a real difference.
01:17From the 9th of December to the 9th of February, customers can donate in-store or online at officeworks.com.au or purchase
01:24a $5 box of bouncy balls, with all proceeds going directly to the Smith Family's Learning
01:29for Life program.
01:30The Officeworks Back to School Appeal helps us raise funds so we can provide resources to
01:36young people across Australia so they can have access to education essentials.
01:41School books, uniforms and increasingly digital devices.
01:45These things help a young person stay engaged in their learning and make the most of their
01:50education.
01:51Having the right school supplies makes a big difference to a young person and their ability
01:55to learn.
01:56Something as simple as having a school uniform just like your peers is a really important
02:00way of fitting in and being part of a school community.
02:04Forty-four percent of the students that we support at the Smith Family don't have access
02:08to digitally connected resource at home so providing those resources also helps the young person
02:14do their homework online, also build digital skills for their future.
02:18One of the great joys of my role at the Smith Family is meeting young people that we've supported
02:23in the past and seeing the difference that we've made together.
02:26I recently caught up with Tabitha.
02:28Tabitha is a young person that we supported, provided educational resources.
02:33She also accessed our learning club and a range of other programs and she's now running a successful
02:39events business that she started herself and just shows the extraordinary human potential
02:44of young people when they get the support they need.
02:46You can make a donation in store at Officeworks or online from December 29 to February 8 and
02:53in doing that you'll make a big difference for a young person helping them make the most of
02:57their education and build a bright and positive future.
03:01We've partnered with Officeworks for more than a decade and together we've raised more
03:05than $10.6 million which has meant that we can support 15,800 young people on our Learning
03:12for Life program and help them build a bright and positive future.
03:15It's been more than a decade that I've been with the Smith Family.
03:19I was just really attracted to how practical the charity is, how it gives children help
03:26through practical means, making sure that they've got new uniforms on their backs, new school
03:32shoes on their feet, books, access to learning materials and learning clubs.
03:39That's what's really important because I know I've actually been in that position where
03:44every single dollar counts.
03:46I grew up with a single mum in Housing Commission in Western Sydney and I knew that every time
03:52we went back to school she'd get there but gee it was a struggle and there were impossible
03:57decisions that she was making every day when it came to balancing the family budget and making
04:03sure that I had everything I needed to go to school.
04:06So that's what I love about the Smith Family, that it takes that impossible decision making
04:10away from families who are just trying to survive.
04:14It does spark a conversation with your own children that perhaps there are other kids out there
04:19who may not be as privileged and you don't mind giving a few extra dollars or whatever you
04:24can to make sure that another family doesn't struggle so much when it's time to go back to
04:30school.
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