Earlier this year, a representative from the TOGA group contacted Coast Shelter, a not-for-profit and charity on the Central Coast with an idea. The international hotel group was about to embark on refurbishing one of their Adina Hotels in Sydney, NSW.

Michelle Fischl, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at TOGA states, “the objective is to repurpose as many furniture and operational items as possible to avoid them going into landfill.”

She continues “it’s a win-win, sustainable solution and also supports vulnerable and disadvantaged community members.”

Whilst the recent lockdowns in NSW had an impact on many things including Coast Shelters specialist homelessness services and personal support programs, the Grace Group were able to donate their services to move 42 apartments worth of furniture from Sydney CDB to the Central Coast.

Nichole Muratore, Marketing Coordinator, Grace Group states “Grace business services have donated our moving services to TOGA and Coast Shelter.”

She continues “we felt this was something we needed to be involved with.”

Between the furniture and operational items from TOGA and removalist services from Grace, Coast Shelter have been provided with over $100,000 dollars’ worth of goods and services.

Michael Starr, Chief Executive Officer at Coast Shelter states “without your generous donation, it would be really difficult at the moment for us to house people properly and set up their apartment safely for them.”

He continues “it’s just been overwhelming to see the volume and the quality of goods that you’ve donated to us. Thank you for choosing Coast Shelter to be your charity of choice on the Central Coast.”

Coast Shelters social enterprise ‘Coasties on the Move’ will utilise the furniture donated to supply community members doing it tough on the Central Coast with essential items.

Often, when seeking refuge from a domestic or family violence situation, you do not take any furniture or kitchen items with you. TOGA’s donation will support those community members with items such as a lounge, dining table and chairs, fridge, kitchen goods, bedside table, study desks, lamps, mirrors, wall art and/or an outdoor setting.