Winter Appeal underway

WITH a new name the 3BA Winter Appeal is kicking off this week.

John Fitzgibbon, General Manager of 3BA said the rebranded appeal, previously known as 3BA Christmas in July, now has a specific identity that is relevant to the time of the year.

“The change of name better reflects the identity of the appeal and re-enforces the bitterness the Ballarat winter means for many,” he said.

“We hope the Ballarat community understands the challenges so many in our community face across the season.”

The generosity of Ballarat has been consistent in providing support to the city’s four major welfare agencies and charities, Uniting Ballarat, Anglicare, the Salvation Army and the St Vincent de Paul Society, over the 19 years since the Winter Appeal was first launched.

The four agencies provide emergency relief to Ballarat families who often need to make the tough decision between paying the utility bills and putting food on the table.

The Appeal runs from June to August with cash donations quickly being turned into food and blankets.

“Cash is king, this allows us to purchase groceries that are specifically needed by the agencies and we get really good support from  the Creswick Woollen Mills as we purchase a bulk buy of blankets from them,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“The shelves are pretty much bare at the four charities at the moment, so rather than wait until the appeal gets going, we went ahead and purchased and delivered 16 pallets of food from Maxi Foods last week.

“We have some fantastic partners in Maxi Foods and Ryans IGA who increase our purchasing power and O’Neil Transport are fantastic in donating trucks and drivers to collect and deliver the goods.”

Launching the appeal Professor Helen Bartlett, Federation University Vice Chancellor said the university is an integral part of Ballarat and feel this is an initiative that will bring together staff and students to do something for the community.

“Everyone puts so much energy into it, it becomes sort of an organisational challenge for us to get everyone involved to raise funds and help run events and give back to the community,” she said.

“Students who live in residence have fund raising dinners and we have a big annual luncheon that staff attend every year.”

“It is really important that out students learn about volunteering and it becomes part of what they do in their community,” Professor Bartlett said

“Being part of the campaign is about developing a philosophy and understanding and demonstrating values that represent what it is to be a student, studying in a university located in a community, that wherever you look there are people worse off than you, even if you are student.”

Thirty percent of Ballarat has a household income of under $45,000.

“The key to the success of the appeal is the people know that 100 per cent raised goes directly to the four charities and stays right here in the local community,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Donations of cash, clean blankets and non-perishable foods can be made at the offices of 3BA, 56 Lydiard Street North Ballarat.