Salvos backyard makeover
The team of volunteers from Jones Lang LaSalle, Bunnings Warehouse, and The Salvation Army, standing in front of the new raised garden bed. (Photo by Nathalia Rickwood)
A team from Jones Lang LaSalle and a local Bunnings store joined forces to give a Salvos Housing property a makeover last Friday.
The 20 volunteers set about transforming the Sydney property and had some great team bonding along the way.
The team from Jones Lang LaSalle, a global real estate services firm, installed a gate to the driveway, to give more privacy and prevent people trespassing and dumping items on the property. They relocated the clotheslines from a shady area to one with better sunlight, and provided contractors to install a raised garden bed and security lighting.
Jones Lang LaSalle Chief Operating Officer Adrienne Revai says that the makeover allowed members of the team who might not normally work together to work as a united front.
“We are glad that our staff can contribute in other ways in addition to making donations, and that there are many different types of opportunities to make a contribution,” says Ms Revai.
Team members from Bunnings Warehouse Alexandria donated products, including a barbecue, some outdoor furniture, painting equipment and plants. In the coming weeks, they will return to the property to gurney the concrete area out the back.
“Bunnings team members are pleased to have this opportunity to help The Salvation Army continue their great work in the community. Our team live and work here too and it’s great to be able to help out and support our local community where we can,” says Michael Van Houten, Bunnings Warehouse Alexandria Complex Manager.
The clients living in the property have previously been in crisis housing, and they spend most of their time in their rooms. Salvos Housing General Manager Rob Burnelek says by improving common areas such as outdoor spaces for clients to re-engage with other residents, we see a marked improvement in the way our clients are better able to re-enter society.
“From a Salvos Housing point of view, we just treat them like a normal tenant. We get them to sign leases, like you would normally do.”
Salvation Army spokesperson Major Bruce Harmer says The Salvation Army is extremely grateful for the work that Jones Lang LaSalle and Bunnings have provided.
“This project is just one example of the valuable relationship we have with these companies. It has involved a good deal of planning, generosity and sharing of their core expertise, along with much goodwill on their parts.
“The result means an improved living environment for the residents with whom we work, helping to enhance their health, self-esteem and general wellbeing.”
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