This superhero doesn’t wear a cape, but he should. Kate Sears speaks to volunteer Henri Ling about everything he does for the Frankston community.
What led you to volunteering?
I started volunteering at my local footy club (Pearcedale Baxter) when I was 15. I enjoyed helping around the club when my friends were training or playing a game.
Where do you volunteer?
With Frankston City Libraries I am a part of the shelving team and Trove digital newspaper editing team. For Donation Chain, I am a part of the sorting team and bagging team, as well as the social media manager. We collect donations and sort them then make up bags for them to be given out to a community support service centre or to Outreach programs. Then with Pinchapoo I am a part of the sorting team for the Mornington Peninsula. We collect donations of toiletries and box them up to be delivered to the warehouse in Box Hill South. I am also the second in charge of the Facebook group Plastic Bag Sleeping Mats for the Homeless. Finally, and dearest to my heart, is Pets of the Homeless. Here I am a part of the bagging-up team; bags and tins of dog and cat food are donated to us and we make 250g, 500g and 1kg bags of the food which are then delivered to community support centres and homeless support services across Victoria.
What’s been the most rewarding experience so far?
At Frankston City Libraries we run school holiday programs. Helping set up for the event is always rewarding because we get to see the kids having so much fun during the holidays.
How can others get involved and give back to the Frankston community?
Ask at the council and community support service centre for any volunteer positions, research different not-for-profit groups or visit Impact volunteering at Frankston City Libraries (Frankston library).
Anything else to add?
If you have struggled to find paid work, are looking to get back into the workforce or have a spare hour or two, why not check out the local volunteer opportunities.