As winter bites in the hills, Bell Real Estate is stepping up to help those doing it tough, teaming up with Foothills Community Care to collect warm essentials for people facing hardship.
From now until the end of winter, the agency is asking locals to donate new socks, underwear, thermals, gloves, or scarves for men, women, and children in need.
Chloe Stokes, who leads sponsorship and marketing at Bell Real Estate’s Olinda office, said from a company perspective, the honest truth is they’re a family-owned and family-run business.
“It’s freezing up here, and we know how hard it can be for people who are already struggling,” Ms Stokes said.
“There are people in our community, right here in the hills, who are quietly doing it tough.”
Bell Real Estate’s offices in Olinda, Belgrave and Montrose have been turned into drop-off points, with hampers already filling up and signs in the windows to remind passersby they can make a difference.
Donation drop-off locations:
Olinda: 11 Olinda-Monbulk Road
Belgrave: Unit 1/1642 Burwood Hwy
Montrose: 896 Mt Dandenong Road
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm
Ms Stokes said the decision to support the appeal was both professional and deeply personal.
“We’re a family-run business, and we see ourselves as part of the fabric of this community. We’re not just here to sell houses – we’re here to help where we can,” she said.
“Sometimes that means putting up a community noticeboard, and sometimes it means collecting socks.”
She spoke about what they see from the inside of the housing market, people caught in the middle of a worsening rental crisis, families escaping domestic violence, and locals left with nothing after unexpected emergencies like house fires.
“There’s this idea that homelessness only looks a certain way – but it doesn’t. It can be a mum, a teenager, someone who lost their job or couldn’t find a rental,” she said.
“It’s heartbreaking when you see posts from people who’ve lost everything and are just asking for a jumper. That’s why something as small as a new pair of socks can go a long way.”
Bell Real Estate has supported Foothills Care in the past, but this is the first winter appeal Ms Stokes has helped coordinate and she’s thrown herself into it, rallying the agency’s 10 agents to take part in social media videos and promoting the cause in shopfronts.
“We’re not the heroes here – Foothills is doing the heavy lifting. We’re just using the tools we have, like marketing and local reach, to help them get the word out.”
Ms Stokes said she hoped this kind of community partnership would grow in the years to come.
“If you’re feeling disconnected or helpless, this is something simple you can do that really matters,” she said.
“Even beyond donating, there are always ways to help – Foothills is always looking for volunteers to help with their kitchen program.”
And while she hasn’t yet met the people who’ll be receiving the donations, Ms Stokes is certain of one thing.
“It might seem like a small gesture – but for someone going through a hard time, it’s a sign that their community sees them and cares,” she said.
If you’d like to contribute, donations can be dropped off at the Bell Real Estate offices listed above throughout winter. Every item counts.
