Caring hands at work

Volunteer’s dedication drives essential blanket distribution efforts.

Di Ebert is the Distribution Co-Ordinator for Warm Blankets for Everyone (WBFE) which was a recent recipient of a grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

Di originally started in the role in 2021 assisting another person.  She took over the role in 2022 and had a short break in early 2024 but has been back in the role fulltime since April.

Her role is varied and interesting. Some of the key aspects of her role include, making regular contact and liaison with organisations that WBFE supports to ascertain their needs or changes to WBFE arrangements.

She oversees the WBFE workshop blanket room to monitor blanket production to ensure the numbers and colour required are maintained. For example, WBFE provides darker coloured blankets to organisations supporting the homeless, brighter blankets to organisations supporting domestic violence victims and smaller children focussed blankets to the organisations who specialise to children-based support.

Di keeps in touch with the WBFE workshop manager and team leaders, so they are across current demands and any changes needed. She also coordinates the delivery of the blankets alongside a team of 6 dedicated drivers and her husband Dave, as well as pick-ups of donated blankets and fabric from across the region.

An important part of Di’s role is to provide feedback to the volunteers which includes sharing the many messages of thanks and appreciation that are received regarding the blankets that are supplied.

Another important responsibility is for Di to keep records of all the blankets produced and delivered to provide regular updates to the WBFE Board.

“I have always wanted to volunteer and working on warm blankets with one of the founding members was a great introduction. At present I oversee Distribution, which involves a lot of gathering blankets and sending them out to charities. In this I am thankfully supported by my husband Dave. We have 2 grandchildren and moved to Newcastle 30 years ago from Tamworth,” said Di. She particularly enjoys being able to speak to the various organisations that work directly with those in need.

For more information about the team at WBFE visit https://www.wbfe.org/our-team

Find more in our Spring Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.

Story Maxine Throll