Cause raises serious coin

By Lachlan Ellis

The coins have been counted for a local fundraiser, and over $10,000 has been raised to keep those less fortunate warm this winter.

Local foundation Bacchus Up to Pay it Forward (BUTPIF) ran the ‘Coin for a Cause’ program over 31 days from March to April this year, asking local businesses to either donate a portion of their sales to the cause, or make a direct donation.

39 businesses took up the call, with retail businesses donating between 50 cents to $1 from their sales over the 31 days, or making direct donations in the case of non-retail businesses like real estate agents.

A sausage sizzle and a movie night were also held to raise funds, thanks to the support of the Bacchus Marsh Community Bank Branch and Urban Markets.
In total, $10,500 was raised, which meant 120 blanket-style hoodies, thermal blankets, thermal gloves, thermal beanies, and thermal socks were able to be bought by BUTPIF and put in ‘cosy packs’, for people who are homeless, elderly, or escaping domestic violence.

BUTPIF founder Judy D’Attoma said it was a fantastic result from local businesses and their customers.

“It was hospitality businesses that got involved mainly, but also some other retail businesses and real estate. They’d donate a dollar a sale for the day, and we promoted them on the BUTPIF Facebook page. We were also able to promote them on Apple FM, letting people know they were fundraising and encouraging people to go there,” she told the Moorabool News.

“It’s been a great effort from businesses and the community I feel, the community helping keep the community warm really. It was great having the community come together to make this happen.”

Ms D’Attoma joked that her house “looked a bit like a sweatshop” with all the hoodies and blankets in it, but that they were now being distributed to those who need them.

“There’s three organisations distributing them in the cosy packs. We’ve already got a few businesses who want to come on board if we do it again next year which it looks like we will, it’s been quite successful,” she said.

“Next year we’ll run the movie screening a bit differently, we’ll run it alongside a market and have a bit more happening. And we’re going to do it during the day.”

For more information on the work done by BUTPIF, visit the Bacchus Up to Pay it Forward Facebook page, or head to www.butpif.org.au.