AS if you didn\u2019t need any reminder that we\u2019re still in the doldrums of winter last weekend\u2019s freezing temperatures and snowfalls made it even more real.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why two recent efforts as part of the 3BA Winter Appeal will have even more impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe snow that\u2019s hit really reinforces the need and it\u2019s not as if it\u2019s going to stop when it comes to the end of winter,\u201d said John Fitzgibbon, 3BA station director. \u201cThe Appeal is progressing well, but we just want people to remember it does go through to the end of August.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last week Fed Uni held a fund rising lunch and on Monday teams from the Winter Appeal were out at Coles stores across the city gathering donations of food, thousands of dollars in gift cards, and cash tins located at registers.<\/p>\n
Manager at Coles Stockland Wendouree, Sharon German, has been coordinating the supermarket\u2019s effort across the city for the Winter appeal for six years.<\/p>\n
\u201cCustomers know now that Coles support the Winter Appeal every year and they seem to support it really well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Appeal ambassador, Peter Caligari, said the need this year was acute, with 20 new families registering with one recipient charity in the last week alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been one of the most severe winters we\u2019ve had for a long time,\u201d he said. \u201cThe pressure on our charities and welfare agencies is just unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The donations from Coles comes on top of an effort by Federation University staff and students last week. They took part in a charity lunch at the Mt Helen campus.<\/p>\n
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett said the University works towards transforming lives and enhancing communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt fills me with pride to see our mission in action,\u201d she said. \u201cThe amazing results every year would not be possible without the generosity of the University\u2019s many staff, students, sponsors and partners who have donated their time, money and products for the annual appeal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donations to the 3BA\u2019s Winter Appeal provide support to four welfare agencies and charities Uniting Ballarat, Anglicare, the Salvation Army and the St Vincent de Paul Society.<\/p>\n
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