Supporter Autumn 2026
A donation from the heart AnglicareSA’s Star Bear loss and grief camps have received a $3,000 financial boost thanks to one of the camp’s dedicated volunteers and global furniture giant IKEA’s community engagement program. For the last two years, social work student and IKEA employee, Hiba, has volunteered on the Star Bear camps which are free weekend camps for bereaved children, young people, and families who have lost a parent, sibling, or other significant person. “I love volunteering, giving back to the community,” Hiba said. “When I lost my grandmother, the Star Bear volunteering helped me a lot because it was the first time I lost someone close. “I found it hard to grieve as an adult, so going on the camp was really helpful for me and I still get emotional every time I go. “It is really close to my heart, helping children.” IKEA Business Navigation and Operations Manager, Patrick Hunt, said the international retailer’s community engagement program focused on
Join AnglicareSA and make a difference Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Through our Thread Together program, volunteers deliver brand-new clothing via a mobile van service to communities experiencing hardship. They restore dignity, confidence, and hope to people, including those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, mental health challenges, as well as youth in care and newly arrived refugees. There are volunteer roles for everyone, including: – Thread Together – Social support in residential aged care – Emergency Assistance – Community aged care – Star Bear – supporting children through grief and loss For more information on how to get involved, visit anglicaresa.com. au/join-our-team/volunteering/ or contact our volunteer team at volunteering@anglicaresa.com.au or 0427 198 332. We look forward to welcoming you to AnglicareSA.
Star Bear program team member Shannon, Star Bear, and program coordinator Louanne Johns with Star Bear volunteer Hiba
what was meaningful to employees, calling for nominations each quarter for charities, organisations, and programs they would like to donate to. “And then the leadership team gets together to review all the nominations and Hiba’s Star Bear nomination was certainly one that struck a chord,” Patrick said. Star Bear Program coordinator Louanne Johns said across the current and previous financial year, more than 200 individuals had been supported through the program and the team of extraordinary volunteers like Hiba. “We are truly grateful for this donation and will ensure the money is used to provide the best outcome for the children and families we support,” Louanne said.
The power of intergenerational friendship
At 96 years old and just eight respectively, Ann and Lily * may be separated by more than eight decades of life experience; however, an unlikely friendship has blossomed, proving that
age is no barrier to connection. The pair met when Lily’s Trinity College class visited Ann and other residents at AnglicareSA’s Elizabeth Dutton Court Residential Aged Care home. “We have this connection that was there from the very beginning,” Ann said. “She was the first child who came up to me, and we had a chat and coloured in together.”
Since that first meeting, Ann and Lily kept in touch, meeting outside of school visits on school holidays or weekends. During these visits, the pair chat about their shared interests, such as crystals and reading, draw together, and enjoy singing.
* Name changed to protect privacy
Ann and Lily* at our Elizabeth Dutton Court Residential Aged Care home
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