Meet Fred, who’s giving a special gift

Fred Libertore is a valued and passionate Sacred Heart Mission volunteer and supporter who volunteers for the Meals Program at our St Kilda Dining Hall and has made a gift in his Will to us.

“I get immense satisfaction by watching people create positive change in others,” says Fred.

“I’m so lucky to have a rich, fulfilling life. I have won bodybuilding competitions, run successful gym businesses, authored books, and articles, and all to help others.

I am a local to St Kilda and have always walked past Sacred Heart Community, the op shop, and the Dining Hall. It’s what attracted me to want to be part of this community.”

Fred saw first-hand the work of Sacred Heart Mission when he walked up Grey Street and was inspired to start volunteering in the Dining Hall.

Fred explains, “To live a purposeful life is part of my values, and what Sacred Heart Mission stands for and what I see them doing, I want to be part of this. I can do this by leaving a gift in my Will.”

Gifts in Wills have been crucial over the years to shift deep disadvantage and social exclusion in the community. Fred explains his decision to leave a bequest to Sacred Heart Mission:

“As a volunteer, I love the community feeling and that everyone is welcome at our table. This non-judgmental approach means a lot to me.

I included a gift in my Will to Sacred Heart Mission so they can continue their excellent work.”

Fred’s interest in fitness stems from his childhood when he played football with family and friends. This developed into a lifelong passion for sports and fitness, which expanded into a 25-plus-year involvement in the fitness industry.

“I get an indefinable joy from personal training clients when they express gratitude and share how their lives have been changed,” says Fred.

“Helping people by leaving a gift in my Will can also enable Sacred Heart Mission to be there for those that need it most and change lives.”

All Gifts in Wills directly help to fund our services, providing crisis and long-term support to people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and disadvantage. They also enable us to plan for the future and develop our programs in a way that we can better respond to the community’s future needs.

Thanks to the generosity of wonderful people like Fred, who have included a gift in their Will, we can continue to assist hundreds of people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage in finding food, housing, care, and support well into the future.

Fred says, “I realise the blessings that have been bestowed on me I can share with others by leaving a gift in my Will, so together we can create positive change for people’s lives.”

Every day at the Mission, we see new personal strengths, achievements, and optimism unfold for people. With someone in their corner, people who have faced extraordinary disadvantages and repeated episodes of trauma can find the courage to face the challenges in their lives.

Fred’s kindness will help us to help others. A Gift in Will can create long-term change in the lives of the vulnerable in our community.   

For more information about Gifts in Wills, our Relationship Coordinator Karen Wall would welcome a confidential chat.

Please call 03 8530 8394 or 0447 156 904 or email kwall@sacredheartmission.org.