Community digs deep for winter appeal

Country South Australians helped bring warmth to people experiencing hardship this winter with donations of blankets, jumpers, beanies, bedding and more being made to ac.care.

A surge of community support increased ac.care’s impact during the winter period as people sought shelter and comfort amidst the cooler conditions.

In the Limestone Coast, 675 blankets and dozens of other winter warmers were donated to ac.care to help people cope with wintry conditions as part of the Triple M and SAFM 96.1FM Limestone Coast 2024 appeal.

Park Dry Cleaners added its support to the appeal for a second year as a donation collection point, delivering several basket-loads of blankets and other winter warmers to Mount Gambier Community Centre.

The agency received broad support across the Limestone Coast with over 60 handmade beanies collected by South East Property Sales and Management on behalf of Millicent Community Centre.

The generosity continued in the Murraylands and Riverland, where donations of blankets, sleeping bags, swags, warm clothing and more flowed into ac.care sites.

A new element of support for ac.care this winter was the inaugural We Care Cally Camp Out, a Callington-based fundraising event led by Australian Portable Camps that raised $100,000 for ac.care’s Murraylands homelessness service.

ac.care homelessness and community services manager Trish Spark thanked the donors and supporting businesses for their generosity.

“We are fortunate to work alongside communities who are ready to act and give generously to help people in need,” Ms Spark said.

“People experience hardship in different ways depending on their circumstances, but we always find that warm clothing and blankets are in need.

“Whether it is helping keep someone warm in their home as they try to keep their electricity costs down or providing some much-needed layers to someone sleeping rough, every contribution helps people in need.

“Thank you to each and every person who donated in some way to help others in the community. Your contribution truly makes a difference.”

ac.care provided financial help and food assistance to almost 2000 people across the Limestone Coast, Riverland and Murraylands during the 2023/24 financial year.

“We are providing what we can to help lessen the impacts of the cost of living increases and housing shortages,” Ms Spark said.

“We are here to help so if you or someone you know does need support, please get in touch with your nearest ac.care site to discuss what support is available.

“While we do support people in crisis, we can also help manage your circumstances to potentially ease some of the pressures that contribute towards significant hardship.”

Visit www.accare.org.au, email [email protected] or call 1300 ACCARE (1300 222 273) for more information on support available.