Archive for the 'General' Category

Be Green with Karuna & Your Old Mobile Phones

Published
by
josh
on August 19, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

Did you know there are an estimated 10 million unused mobile phones in cupboards and drawers in homes and offices around Australia? Most of these phones will eventually find their way into landfill, allowing hazardous chemicals such as cadmium to leach into the soil and causing other toxic substances to be generated.

If you are hoarding an old mobile phone, a solution is now at hand! Karuna has signed an agreement with the Aussie Recycling Program to collect old mobiles which will then be shipped overseas for reuse where possible or the materials recycled.

Next time you visit Karuna, you will see a collection box inside our front door where you can place your old mobile phones for recycling. If you have several phones for recycling and are unable to bring them into Karuna, give me a call and I’ll try to make alternative arrangements.

If you can suggest other venues where we could place collection boxes (maybe your workplace or a local library), call me on 3632 8321. Feel free to let friends and family know about this as we would like to make this a successful fundraiser as well as a way to improve the environment.

Thank you for your help.

Evelyn Williames and the Karuna Green Team.

It’s Cool to be Kind

Published
by
josh
on July 10, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

Reminding kids that it’s cool to be kind was the theme for an innovative partnership between Karuna and QPAC’s Out of The Box Festival in June.

Although coming together at short notice, QPAC and the Backbone Youth Arts Group developed a series of fun workshops for children aged three to eight which were then held in the foyer of the Lyric Theatre over the 6-day festival.

Backbone Youth Arts under the guidance of Artistic Director Fraser Corfield, and his team Lucas Stibbard, Frankie Savige and Rachel Apelt worked with Mark Radvan at QPAC and a band of wonderful Karuna volunteers to bring this to life.

More than 250 children (and many parents) took part in 20 workshops full of storytelling, interactive games and artwork. The children were asked to explore ways of how to be kind to each other and themselves and participating parents created an opportunity for kindness conversations with their children and others in the group.

All the fun and creativity was captured in photos, artwork and comments from the children which was then scanned into a computer with the children’s’ help, and downloaded at the end of each day at the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sydney.

In Sydney the artwork, posters and comments were displayed for His Holiness and PowerPoint slides of the work were viewed by 5000 strong audience.

Despite his very hectic schedule, His Holiness took time to look at the artwork and acknowledged Karuna’s initiative to encourage kindness in our community.

Here are some of the children’s thoughts on kindness:

  • Kindness is light blue, because you can get to swim in the ocean and see all the beautiful animals
  • Lollies make me happy, and I share them
  • The first aid kit is a kind thing
  • You can help people plant a garden
  • My friend was really nice to me when some girls were being mean; she told them to go away
  • Ask someone to play with you if they look lonely.

This is the second year Karuna has undertaken the Youth for Kindness project timed to coincide with His Holiness’ visits to Australia.

Our culture of kindness was very well displayed at the event by our dedicated volunteers and Karuna staff.

Thank you to Leesl Ross, Jenny Birt, Jess Frost, Lisa Perry, Josh Birtles, Lorna Edrich and Roshi and Sangeeta Akhil.

Your efforts produced some wonderful material for the State Library Archives and for Karuna’s history of kindness and compassion in our community.

If you would like to know more about the festival or assist Karuna in it’s activities as a volunteer please don’t hesitate to contact our Marketing Manager Lisa Perry on (07) 36328317 or lisa@karuna.org.au

Bridget's Sunflower

Professors

Digitising Kindness

Kind Drawing

Mowing the Lawn

Kind Colouring

Reading to Sister

Ella on Kindness

Ella's Story

Forgiveness

Karuna Online Launches Life Education

Published
by
karuna
on June 12, 2007
in General
. 2 Comments

Karuna’s new Life Education page has a number of interesting courses aimed at educating and extending benefit to the wider community.

Click the image below for more information and to view the course descriptions. Check the calendar regularly for upcoming dates.

Life Education Magnet

Thank You Craft Group

Published
by
karuna
on May 28, 2007
in General
. 0 Comments

A very special thank you to Erica and the wonderful Craft Group Volunteers who put on another successful Bridge Day during May. A total of $5000 was raised! Each year these ladies work tirelessly hosting this fundraiser. Thank you also to the staff who assisted and to those who purchased the beautiful handmade craft items. All those who attended enjoyed it immensely!

Thanks also to those who supported the movie nights during April and May to fundraise for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s tour in June. A lot of positive feedback was received from those who attended the screenings.

Welcome to Karuna Online

Published
by
karuna
on May 16, 2007
in General
. 1 Comment

Karuna’s community of compassionate care is expanding its horizons online.

  • To find out more information about Karuna Hospice Services, head over to our About Us page.
  • For info on what Karuna provides, check out our Services section.
  • Or simply scroll down to browse the weblog and keep up to date on all aspects of Karuna.
  • Be sure to check back often for regular updates, and leave a comment on any article you find interesting to help the online community to grow.

Continue reading ‘Welcome to Karuna Online’

Tibetan Prayer Flags for Sale

Published
by
josh
on April 18, 2007
in General
. 0 Comments

Specially commissioned Tibetan Prayer Flags will be the symbol of Karuna’s inaugural Kindness Week which will be launched during the Dalai Lama’s visit to Brisbane. The flags carry the blessings of the prayers and sacred symbols printed on them across the world. Seeing the flags (they come in sets of five, one in each of the five primary colours) rekindles our intention to be of service to others.

The flags will be available from participating LOOT stores or Mandala Books in April.

Prayer Flags

Karuna’s Christmas Craft Group

Published
by
josh
on February 4, 2007
in General
. 1 Comment

The Karuna Christmas Craft Group has begun work once again. This dedicated group meets every Thursday in a relaxed and friendly environment in a nearby volunteers home. Together they create decorations and gifts to be sold at our annual Christmas Craft Market later in the year.

The group commences at 10am and finishes at 3pm, but you are welcome to arrive and leave at times which suit you. There is no need to book and it is free, so come along, bring your lunch and willingness to share and learn. You are guaranteed a great time!

If you want to be a part of this fantastic group, but are unable to make it to these sessions, then you are more than welcome to create your own hand-made craft decorations and gifts at home to give to Karuna. If you would like to be a part of this group, or for more information, call Stephanie on 07 3632 8300 or email stephanie@karuna.org.au.

Christmas Market Success!

Published
by
karuna
on December 4, 2006
in General
. 0 Comments

“Christmas shopper’s paradise - The Karuna Christmas Market”

The Christmas Market is one of the biggest fundraiser events that Karuna holds during the year. The success of this event helps to support Karuna’s free home hospice care service.

The Karuna Christmas Market was held at Karuna House on Friday night 24th November and Saturday 25th November 2006.

A Kindness Tree was set up and took centre stage at the market. This was designed for those who wished to hang messages in memory of loved ones and other heartfelt thoughts. The tree was beautiful and many visitors took advantage of this.

Four rooms were set up within Karuna House and were overflowing with unique gifts, decorations and festive food. Items featured were designer trimmed trees, wreaths, table centrepieces, cards, cakes, toys, coat hangers and hand made Christmas goodies.

This year the market was a great success, and this would not have been possible without the support of three special groups.

Firstly a very special Thank You must go to the Karuna Volunteers who met every Thursday throughout the year preparing the beautiful arts and crafts we sold. Karuna greatly appreciates the generosity of their time and expertise which made this a very special and unique event.

Secondly a big Thank you also to all the volunteers who assisted at the event. Without the contributions of volunteers, events like this would not be as successful as they are. Setting-up, greeting, cleaning, and assisting with sales were just some aspects that these wonderful people were a part of. You are all just magic!

Finally to the hundreds of wonderful Christmas shoppers who happily purchased the designer items and luscious Christmas goodies. Your support of Karuna is truly appreciated.

My Hidden Treasure

Published
by
karuna
on November 8, 2006
in General
. 1 Comment

“Losing a loved one is an experience many people find very difficult to cope with. In this newsletter we bring you the stories of Rona and Lenore, who are “starting over”.

When I think of Karuna, the words “hidden treasure” come to mind. I was lucky enough to have found my hidden treasure when Karuna came into our lives to provide palliative care for my beloved husband,Bill, during the last weeks of his battle with cancer.We were both amazed that such help was available and so willingly given. The nurses were angels who gave compassionate care with a loving, patient, “nothing is too much trouble” manner. They dealt with the practicalities of our situation, showing me the best ways to cope from day to day and offered support when I felt inadequate - they also mopped up some tears! They all have my undying gratitude.

The story doesn’t end there! After some bereavement counselling sessions, all amazing and all incredibly free, I came to see that life does go on and that although recently retired from the workforce, I could still make a useful contribution to the community I had no idea just what form this would take, but the answer soon became clear - volunteer for Karuna! Now, I enjoy the privilege of working on the library in the beautiful Karuna House and helping out with other
office tasks. I have met some of the Family Support Volunteers,who offer respite to families in need of “time out” (more hidden treasure here). I’ve spent time working at the Pre-loved Art Market and the Christmas Market, and have seen the phenomenal effort that goes into fundraising. I’ve seen the staff and other volunteers, all very special people, working till they’re exhausted but always still able to smile - Karuna is addictive and inspiring!

In its own quiet way Karuna’s influence spreads out to those around its people,who, like me, share our stories with family and friends, neighbours and acquaintances. We have received enormous benefits from Karuna’s extraordinary care and compassion, and hopefully the ripples continue spreading outwards… I encourage you to help Karuna in any way you can.

–Lenore Hutson, Karuna Volunteer

Broncos support Karuna

Published
by
karuna
on October 18, 2006
in General
. 0 Comments

We are delighted to acknowledge the recent support of the Brisbane Broncos, through the Brisbane Broncos Charities Fund through a donation of $2,330 for us to purchase an electric bed for the comfort of our home-based patients. On behalf of all our client families, thank you very much and GO BRONCOS!!!