A Logan couple who immigrated to Australia 10 years ago from New Zealand hit a bump in their plans to start a new life when one of them lost a job.
Rather than conserving every dollar, Imran Khan and Alicia Hawken were spurred to create an organisation that makes and delivers care packages to hundreds of people living rough in Logan and beyond.
They ticked off a major milestone in June, becoming an official not-for-profit under the name of Grateful Givers.
And they are about to launch their first Christmas campaign as an official organisation.
The race is now on to arrange supplies and a huge community packing day to get more than 250 packages ready for delivery on Christmas Eve.
This all began back in 2012 when they moved to Australia.
Mr Khan, a mental health worker, hit a roadblock when he lost his job three weeks into arriving.
Instead of returning home or tightening the budget, he decided to spend more on people like him trying to find their way in Australia.
“Three weeks in I was at a loss of what to do, so my partner Alicia and I decided to go and buy things for people who don’t have families in Australia,” Mr Khan said.
“I want people to be able to think about how they can walk into their house and take off their shoes, but there’s people out there who can’t do that or don’t have families.”
Their first major act of kindness happened on Christmas Day 2012.
From handing out six bags that day, they now average more than 200 every Christmas.
Word then got around and businesses jumped on board to support their little cause.
“All of a sudden it went to all the Queensland X-Ray buildings to all these other businesses, and that was the start of where we’re at now,” he said.
This started a monthly tradition of taking time out to deliver care packages around Logan and Brisbane, made from items like sleeping bags, knitted clothes, toiletries, and basic foods.
“To me it is nothing, but to a lot of people it can mean everything,” Mr Khan said.
Ms Hawken said they have had an extraordinary amount of support from businesses, hospitals and the community along the way.
She has seen all kinds of reactions when they tap people on the shoulder to ask if they would like a bag of goodies.
People have danced, cried, and laughed on the spot – reactions that make precious moments and connections.
“You get these genuine, euphoric human reactions, it’s so cool to see, so it’s really special and since we’ve been doing this for so long now, there’s nothing else we do through the year that’s quite like it,” she said.
Her other highlight is seeing the generational change being brought about by their volunteers.
“One of my other favourite parts is seeing people get their kids involved as well, so it’s a generational change as well,” Ms Hawken said.
“The kids aren’t just worried about what’s under the tree the next day, they want to come and help the community.
“Our kids have been involved since they were freshly newborn.”
