Volunteer

I was having morning tea with a friend and she started telling me about a volunteer group that she had joined. The name of the group is "Havafeed" and it provides breakfast twice a week to the homeless and lunch twice a week. I have been a volunteer on Tuesday mornings for approximately six months and really like the other people that work on Tuesdays. We all get on well together and have a laugh as well as helping those less fortunate. Once the patrons get to know you, they love to have a chat and a laugh with you. In some cases, we may be the only ones that they have any interaction with. It's only two or three hours a week, such a little time out of my week, but it can make such a huge difference in the life of someone less fortunate than I am. If you are looking for a place to do volunteer work, I recommend, "Havafeed".

I have been a volunteer with Havafeed for just over a month. It has been a pleasure working with Robyn and Lindsay and the rest of the volunteers, also very rewarding working in such a friendly atmosphere. I would recommend this to anyone looking to volunteer.

I first met Lindsay and Robyn around 2011 when I did a fundraiser for Havafeed charity at one on my previous businesses. I was quick to see their love and compassion and the all round amazing energy that they have. We immediately became great friends and I started to visit Havafeed at Mermaid Beach community hall to volunteer or donate or just to catch up and have a chat. I have especially enjoyed the annual Christmas functions where I'm usually helping the massive amounts of volunteers on the day serve up the meals. I have also been able to bring some family and friends to help out from time to time as well. After many years working with the Havafeed team they decided to honour me with the role of ambassador. Lindsay and Robyn and the greater team at Havafeed make such a positive impact on the community and I'm very grateful to be able to work alongside them. Their level of commitment to help and love those around them is very inspiring. I have now been working with them for well over 11 years and I'm looking forward to the many many more to come!

HAVAFEED at Mermaid Community Centre is an adventure each Sunday morning. When I arrive the staff who I assist are extremely welcoming. I am there to help Kiwi Peter with the beverages (coffee, tea, milo and cordial) and to serve those in need two bacon and egg sandwiches with a choice of four sauces plus fresh fruit, small cakes/croissants/sweets. I feel this is a great start to their Sunday as they are most thankful and polite as I have a good rapport with all the people who use this facility. Mermaid Havafeed is an essential part of our community.

I started volunteering with Havafeed in 2015 and if it wasn't for an interstate move I would still be with them today. I started working mainly cooking the breakfasts each morning and the weekly Bunnings sausage sizzle at Burleigh Waters. I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering and being part of their growth and projects and promotions throughout the Gold Coast. Lindsay and Robyn including other volunteers and the people they assisted became my family and I really feel I made a difference in my time there. What Lindsay and Robyn have accomplished with the services they provide and the love and compassion they show is just truly inspiring and remarkable. Both are just the most beautiful people I've been fortunate enough to have ever encountered.

Robyn and Lindsay are simply one of a kind. The passion and commitment they have for helping those in need is so hard to sum up in a few sentences. However, over the last 10 years of volunteering and helping with Havafeed, I have seen these angels-in-human-form bring light and hope into what can be dark and challenging times for those who are in need of a helping hand. The world needs more people like Robyn and Lindsay, and I feel so very blessed to call them my friends.

Dear Lindsay + Robyn. Thank you for all your support over these past 13 years. For all you do for us retired 'now' old people living here on the gold coast. You don't just feed us. Most of all you give us 'company' of other old girls and chaps too. Living in our cars or paying high rent with nothing for food often.

Life on the streets is precarious, more so for middle-aged/elderly Ladies. Haveafeed provides much-appreciated sustenance in a pleasant, safe environment. Lindsay quickly puts an end to bad behaviour. My friend and I are very grateful and cannot speak highly enough of Havafeed

I cannot express enough how much the staff at Havafeed at the Miami Community Centre have changed my life. As a veteran struggling with PTSD and job loss due to two hip replacements, I found myself feeling lost and alone. But the support, friendship, and helping hand I received from the staff at Havafeed have made all the difference. Their compassion and dedication to helping others are truly inspiring. They go above and beyond to make sure everyone feels heard, valued, and supported. Their positivity and encouragement have lifted me up during some of my darkest moments. Thanks to their help, I am now on a path to recovery and am starting to feel like myself again. I am so grateful to have the staff at Havafeed in my life and cannot thank them enough for all that they do. I would highly recommend this organization to anyone in need of support and kindness. They truly are awesome.

My name is Aaron and I would like to thank the fantastic people at Havafeed. Pastor Lindsay, Robyn his lovely wife, along with all the wonderful volunteers who give up their valuable time to help the many homeless and the families doing it tough with meals, food parcels and a sympathetic ear they do an amazing job and I for one know this as have used their assistant- ance in the past and even today.

I have been volunteering at Havafeed for the past 2-3yrs. Havafeed has been such unreal learning environment for me to develop new skills as its run similar to café, but better because the currency is all about helping people and putting a smile on people's faces. My food preparation and interpersonal skills have been main skills that have improved during my time at Havafeed. I can't thank the experience at Havafeed enough for this. My favourite part about Havafeed is the generosity of Havafeed. The smile and gratefulness people show when I hand them food to feed their hungry bellies or a hamper pack to help them get through the week. No better feel! I think the word 'special' really does describe Havafeed and what they provide to the community. Theirs something special about the volunteers and the heartfelt conversations that are had. The feedback received from those that come in is always positive after experiencing Havafeed. This place really deserves more recognition.

My name is Paul Jewitt and for the past 3 years of have worked as a volunteer on Fridays with the Havafeed organisation. the organisation occupies premises at the Miami community centre. Havafeed provides sitdown meals and upon request is happy to provide takeaway meals supported by various charities allows Havafeed to supply to the needy bags of non-perishable foods and personal need items. All volunteers and kind and go out of their own way to establish the immediate needs of the client. Havafeed organisation are an asset to the community.

My name is OLIVIA ADAMSON and as an ambassador for Havafeed Relief, I have the honour of advocating for those who are homeless on the Gold Coast. Havafeed Relief is a non-profit organization that aims to provide food and support for those in need. As an ambassador, I work closely with the organization to help raise awareness about the issues facing the homeless population. I organise a collection in conjunction with Arundel Primary school each year and engage with individuals who are interested in learning more about how they can help. The work of Havafeed Relief is incredibly important, as homelessness is a growing issue on the Gold Coast. With the help of dedicated volunteers and donors, Havafeed is able to provide critical services to those in need, including hot meals, access to hygiene facilities, and companionship. By serving as an ambassador, I am proud to be a part of an organization that is making a real difference in the lives of the homeless population on the Gold Coast. I am committed to continuing to raise awareness and support for Havafeed Relief, so that we can continue to provide hope and assistance to those who need it most. Also Playschool Early Learning Centres contribute every year with donations from their generous community

I have been a Friday volunteer at Havafeed which operates out of the Mermaid Beach Community centre since October 2021. The kindness and commitment of the founders, Robyn and Lindsay Burch is beyond belief. This beautiful couple have put their hearts and souls into Havafeed for almost 30 years. Helping and meeting some of the Gold Coasts more vulnerable people has been been an eye opening experience. Working alongside fellow volunteers has been life changing with new friendships being forged.

Dear Robyns, Lindsay Peter, Mark & all the team @ Haveafeed, Thank you! I feel honoured & privileged to have been a part of the great work you & have met many wonderful people along way. Wishing you all health & happiness & best wishes, Lots of love

I have been a volunteer at Havafeed for about five years now. When I first started, I envisaged something like a soup kitchen giving out meals to those in need. The reality is so much more. What makes Havafeed so great is not the meals and food baskets, although they are very much needed and appreciated, but the environment in which this takes place. Robyn and Lindsay have created a warm and caring place of safety where all are valued and respected. Those who come do so as much for this as for the food provided. Havafeed caters for all in need, families and lonely people as well as the homeless. Havafeed works out of the Mermaid Beach Community Centres. At the same time in the mornings, Orange sky is present also-so people can have a shower and have their clothes washed and dried. Altogether, this is a great service to our community. Thank you for you Robyn and Lindsay for your long period (20+ years) of dedication

Havafeed Gold Coast is a charity run by Robyn and Lindsay Burch who have spent the last 29 years feeding the homeless four mornings a week in Mermaid Community Centre. As a volunteer I have witnessed the good food offered to anyone who arrives while creating a safe haven for those in need offering conversation, companionship and friendship. Friday mornings are so special I love being part of this wonderful organisation and seeing the homeless and lonely enjoying the food and hearing the many stories of hardship and watching and hearing the sounds of laughter and smiles and connecting with the other volunteers giving me the feeling being of being part of a special family.