WITH chillier months on the horizon, members of one of the region\u2019s community groups are banding together to help people stay warm.<\/p>\n
Staff at Ballarat Community Health\u2019s Dereel space are accepting blanket donations as part of their new Dereel Community Blanket Drive initiative.<\/p>\n
Liz Roberts, BCH\u2019s community development officer for Dereel said the program began when she received a heap of donations late last month.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid from the Dereel Men\u2019s Shed came to me a few weeks ago with a whole heap of blankets from when he used to work in hospitality,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was wondering we could do a blanket drive and I thought that was a fantastic idea, so we\u2019ve made a poster and gone from there.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is there\u2019s anyone in need in Dereel or the surrounding area, they can come and collect the blanket or deliver them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crocheted blankets made by a member of the Dereel art and craft group have been added to the original donation of 30 items.<\/p>\n
Ms Roberts said discussions are in place for a suitable charity to donate the blankets to, and that she\u2019s exploring options in Golden Plains Shire and Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the community members volunteers at Uniting so she was quite happy to take some. There\u2019s also the Ballarat winter appeal,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not quite sure what there is in Golden Plains to donate so we\u2019re definitely looking for ideas. If someone\u2019s in need though, I don\u2019t think it matters where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Roberts said she\u2019s been heartened to see the Dereel community get behind the drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a very caring community, so it\u2019s not unexpected,\u201d she said. \u201cI think if they see somebody in need in Dereel, they close ranks and help them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Shed outside of those hours.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH chillier months on the horizon, members of one of the region\u2019s community groups are banding together to help people stay warm. Staff at Ballarat Community Health\u2019s Dereel space are accepting blanket donations as part of their new Dereel Community Blanket Drive initiative. Liz Roberts, BCH\u2019s community development officer for Dereel said the program began […]<\/p>\n