The Power of One Person to Make a Difference

International Day of Charity

Every year on 5 September, International Day of Charity celebrates the role charity plays in bringing people together and creating positive change.

The date marks the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, whose decades of work supporting people experiencing poverty and hardship demonstrated the difference one person’s commitment can make.

The United Nations established International Day of Charity to encourage people and organisations around the world to help others and celebrate what people can achieve together.

But what makes someone decide to give?

The power of the individual

People support charities for all kinds of reasons:because they love the work of a charity, a cause has touched their own life, to honour someone they love, or because they want to use their time, skills or resources to affect meaningful change in the world. At Assistance Dogs Australia, that generosity takes many forms.

For puppy volunteers, giving their time can offer a powerful sense of purpose. Robyn was motivated by knowing the dog she helped raise could eventually transform someone else’s everyday life.

“It wasn’t about being noble, it was about purpose. Can you imagine raising a dog that goes on to help someone? That’s what motivated me.”

For others, donating to charity is deeply personal.

One Assistance Dog Australia donor gives because they have seen the impact of an Assistance Dog firsthand:

“My brother-in-law has an Assistance Dog, and I’ve been supporting you guys for a long time. Love the work you do.”

Another chose to give in memory of a much-loved dog:

“We give in memory of our own dog that we lost a few years ago. She was very special, so we wanted to remember her.”

And sometimes, giving is simply about choosing the causes that speak to us

As another supporter explained, 

“We can’t give to all the things that inspire us, so we choose to give to those charities that have particular meaning to us”

Whatever the reason, each decision to give becomes part of something bigger.

30 years of people making a difference

This year, Assistance Dogs Australia celebrates 30 years as a not-for-profit organisation.

Over those three decades, our programs and reach have grown, helping more people with disability experience greater connection, inclusion and independence through expertly trained Assistance Dogs.

None of that happens through one person alone.

It happens because people choose to be part of it. People work with us, volunteer their time, donate what they can and support our work in countless ways.

International Day of Charity is a chance to celebrate that collective impact, while remembering where it begins: with individuals deciding they can help change a life.

Whether you give your time, make a donation or simply help spread the word, your support can become part of what happens next.

Discover how you can support Assistance Dogs Australia.