The joy of receiving is equal to the joy of giving in this small but mighty local cause in central Victoria. Rotary stories often focus on large, high impact projects. Here we share a simple yet meaningful initiative that quietly supports a special group in our Bendigo community.
Since 2007, Bendigo has welcomed and reunited Karen refugee families, helping them settle and make Bendigo home. Two members of the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst regularly contribute to making these newcomers comfortable providing household items sourced from Donations in Kind. Graeme and John drive to West Footscray on a regular basis, returning with a ute and trailer filled with items for these families and the agencies that serve the Bendigo community. Both Graeme and John are long standing members; John a charter member and Graeme a proud Rotarian since 2004.
In addition, John used social media to give a call out to members, friends and the wider community for contributions from those who were downsizing and have good quality, clean furniture and other items for re-homing. Since that Facebook posting, several offers of usable goods have come though – not only benefiting the community but saving items from landfill.
In one of the accompanying photos, one can see just how one chair has delighted a newcomer to Bendigo. The donation of an electric lift recliner chair has benefited a very happy and grateful recipient who lost a leg as a result of standing on a land mine. (Pictures is provided with the permission of subjects).
It is small acts like these that show how our contributions can make a meaningful difference.
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