Service ~ Choice ~ Results
Dougies Fund / MAD
Crimmins Finance is a proud supporter and founder of the "Dougies Fund", a charity arm run in conjunction with the Melbourne Soup Vans / St Vincent De Paul and The Angel of Presence school in Barrong Barrio, Philippines.
​
This fund that has now raised in excess of $120,000 over the past 8 years.
​
Named after Br Doug Walsh who has dedicated his life to his faith and helping those in need. Doug is still an active volunteer for the Soup Vans in which he was president for 25 years. Another of his great passions has been helping disadvantaged families / children in Bagong Barrio, one of the poorest areas in Manila.
He was also my boarding master at Assumption College many many years ago.
​
​
Funds raised for the Soup Vans have been used to provide food to the homeless and needy within Melbourne CBD when the very generous main donor of food “Tasty Trucks” closes down for the Christmas period & public holidays, we have also used these funds to do major services on the vans that go out 365 days of the year.
Being a Monday night 'Vannie' volunteer, I identified a gap where a big difference could be made without a huge outlay, this is how the 'Dougies Fund' was setup.100% of monies raised go towards this fund, which in turn 100% is spent directly on benefitting the homeless and needy. I also help manage and organise how these funds are spent.
Soup Van Operations - St Vincent De Paul Society
Christmas 2016... "It a was proud few evenings that I volunteered over this recent Christmas period…
Driving (yes I’m the old van driver theses days) with the other 8-10 volunteers around to the 5 regular stops in vans serviced with funds generously donated by Kennedy Builders / Yarrawonga Mulwala Accomodation Centre.
At each of these stops we used the cups donated by Threlfall Packaging Bendigo to fill with soup, cordial, tea, coffee & hot chocolate, whilst serving over 200 people each and every evening with the bread donated from Bakers Delight in Milleara Shopping Centre (East Keilor) & filled with one of the 4000+ snags purchased from Hardwick’s abattoirs Kyneton (all cooked on Mums donated 2nd hand BBQ, thanks Gwenny). These top quality sausages in fresh bakers delight bread were very very popular & much appreciated.."
Angel of Presence School - Bagong Barrio, Calcoon, Phillipines
Br Doug's association with Banong Barrio started over 40 years ago, through education they have been breaking the cycle of poverty within poorer families of the region. In 1999 a pre-school was started in the lounge room of Placid, The Angel of Presence School has since grown into a very popular school within the community, with approximately 600 students attending.
Sponsored students are from the poorest families who wouldn't normally get the opportunity of an education, it is common for the eldest child to be sponsored through the program as this allows them to set a positive example for younger siblings. The program begins in primary school and is now also helping students through high school and university. It costs $500 per year to support a child through a year of schooling, this includes meals, school fees, uniforms and stationery supplies. Approximately 80 students per year are put through the program. Recently the fund has been renamed 'The Br Doug Walsh Education Fund' with 100% of donations going towards the ongoing eduction of these students.
​
The program has developed many leaders amongst the community, with sponsored students going on to become teachers, accountants and engineers amongst other professions.
March 2018 - I had the privilege of travelling to Bagong Barrio with Br Doug, so was lucky to see firsthand the difference the funds make to the lives of these children. To see what they have come from and to the leaders they are now is inspirational. Ex Students travelled hours knowing Br Doug was in town, the gratitude, appreciation and camaraderie they share with each other was amazing. Placid, Cora & Elma (pictured front row above) are co-founders who still work tirelessly as the programs leadership team, they truly are living angels.
Kenshi Candles & The Dougie's fund - Kenshi 'Life-Changing' Candles is a social enterprise founded by schoolboy Liam Foldi. These high quality candles are a great gift idea and go well in any home or workplace - by purchasing through the link below, nearly half the purchase price goes directly to the "Br Doug Walsh Eduction Fund" - give them a try - you wont be disappointed.
​
​
Majority funds raised are from the yearly luncheon held at the very accomodating and generous St Andrews Hotel, Nicholson St Fitzroy. It's held on the last Friday in February every year: So put it in your diaries, next one being Friday 28th February 2025.
​