WHEN was the last time you checked in with your neighbours? Do you know if they\u2019re struggling while house-bound?<\/p>\n
To inspire people to help out next-door, last month the Buninyong & District Community Association coordinated the We\u2019re Here to Help project.<\/p>\n
The initiative has residents drop a card into their neighbour\u2019s letter boxes asking if they need a hand during these uncertain times.<\/p>\n
BDCA president Gayle Adams said Buninyong is a \u201ccaring community\u201d and hoped that people might deliver further cards in surrounding areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuninyong residents might pick up several additional cards and drop them into homes elsewhere in the wider district or in Ballarat where there might be someone who would appreciate an offer of help,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
While developed by the BDCA, the project was made possible with further efforts from the Buninyong Community Bank and Buninyong Mount Helen Lions Club.<\/p>\n
Between 2000 and 3000 cards were printed using funding from the community bank, costing approximately $2000 in total.<\/p>\n
Chairman Ian Corcoran said the bank aims to support local groups and projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur purpose is to build community and it\u2019s really important to us that we help to support the community by funding things like the We\u2019re Here to Help initiative,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Across Mount Helen and Buninyong, the community-wide scheme managed to distribute cards to over 1500 homes.<\/p>\n
Lions Club member David Page has his phone number printed on the cards in case anybody requires further assistance.<\/p>\n
He said he has received a lot of calls from locals who are looking to help others in their community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a fair amount of people explain to us that their neighbours are okay, but they still want to offer support to anybody else who might need it,\u201d said Mr Page.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lions Club is also here to help out if your neighbour needs support but you can\u2019t offer it yourself\u2026 don\u2019t hesitate to give us a call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cards are available to be picked up from the Buninyong Community Bank, post office, newsagency and Foodworks supermarket.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHEN was the last time you checked in with your neighbours? Do you know if they\u2019re struggling while house-bound? To inspire people to help out next-door, last month the Buninyong & District Community Association coordinated the We\u2019re Here to Help project. The initiative has residents drop a card into their neighbour\u2019s letter boxes asking if […]<\/p>\n