Community huddles behind blanket drive

WITH chillier months on the horizon, members of one of the region’s community groups are banding together to help people stay warm.

Staff at Ballarat Community Health’s Dereel space are accepting blanket donations as part of their new Dereel Community Blanket Drive initiative.

Liz Roberts, BCH’s community development officer for Dereel said the program began when she received a heap of donations late last month.

“David from the Dereel Men’s Shed came to me a few weeks ago with a whole heap of blankets from when he used to work in hospitality,” she said.

“He was wondering we could do a blanket drive and I thought that was a fantastic idea, so we’ve made a poster and gone from there.

“The idea is there’s anyone in need in Dereel or the surrounding area, they can come and collect the blanket or deliver them.”

Crocheted blankets made by a member of the Dereel art and craft group have been added to the original donation of 30 items.

Ms Roberts said discussions are in place for a suitable charity to donate the blankets to, and that she’s exploring options in Golden Plains Shire and Ballarat.

“One of the community members volunteers at Uniting so she was quite happy to take some. There’s also the Ballarat winter appeal,” she said.

“I’m not quite sure what there is in Golden Plains to donate so we’re definitely looking for ideas. If someone’s in need though, I don’t think it matters where they are.”

Ms Roberts said she’s been heartened to see the Dereel community get behind the drive.

“They’re a very caring community, so it’s not unexpected,” she said. “I think if they see somebody in need in Dereel, they close ranks and help them.

“I had no doubt they would run with this idea. I could see us running this annually. It might branch out even further to food or something like that.”

Blankets can be dropped off with Ms Roberts at the Dereel Community Centre from 9am to 3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays or at the Men’s Shed outside of those hours.