Tears and joy as Christmas appeal helps drought affected community
Thanks to the generosity of the Bonner community, more than $5000 was raised through the Ross Vasta Christmas Appeal for Stanthorpe to help bring some Christmas cheer to the drought and bushfire affected region.
Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Team Vasta and representatives from GIVIT online charity visited the region on Tuesday to distribute the donations, and the community response was both overwhelming and humbling.
âWe joined GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant to help buy goods and vouchers for people in need, and the response from the community was just outstanding,â Mr Vasta said.
âStanthorpeâs St Vincent de Paul Society branch identified a number of families needing support, so we went to work purchasing good and vouchers from IGA, some toys to ensure these kids would be visited by Santa, as well as vouchers to buy school uniforms.
âThank you to everyone who donated to this appeal. You have helped bring so much joy and relief to those who really need it.â
GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said all funds received were spent at local businesses to further support the regional community.
âWe purchased hair dressing vouchers from Stanthorpe salons, and gift cards from a local family-operated service station to provide some relief to drought-affected farmers,â Ms Tennant said.
âHampers of household essentials, childrenâs toys, gift vouchers and festive mince pies we also donated to lighten the financial pressures on families celebrating whatâs been an extremely testing year.
âAs well as visiting St Vincent de Paul, we gave festive items for Christmas care packages to Granite Belt Drought Assistâs facility where people across the region can access vital donations of water.â
Ms Tennant said they had barely driven out of the city when Lee Stroud from St Vincent de Paul – Stanthorpe called to say she had already given some donations to a local family in need.
âThe mum was so overwhelmed. She was nearly speechless and so grateful,â Ms Tennant said.
âWe were so happy to partner with Ross Vasta to help bring some Christmas cheer to the Stanthorpe community during such a tough time.
âGIVIT is here for the long-term for the Southern Darling Downs region, as well as all communities in need across Queensland.â
Mr Vasta said he was pleased they had already received some heart-warming responses from the community.
âSally Orreal from Stanthorpe Sport and Camping said she had goosebumps and was holding back tears when we came in to shop up a storm for toys for local kids,â Mr Vasta said.
âShe thanked Team Vasta and GIVIT with a big hug for buying locally.â
Items donated are listed below:
Lee Stroud, St Vincent de Paul – Stanthorpe
4 x $50 Stanthorpe Quality Meats butcher
2x $40 haircut vouchers
4 x $50 Howard & Sonâs Mitre 10
$400 worth of Spanoâs IGA Stanthorpe $20 vouchers
20 Toys purchased from local sports shop
100 groceries including cleaning products and hygiene products
12 Chrisco hampers
Pack of bonds singlets baby
1 baby skirt
5 x $80 fuel from Stanthorpe Fuel & Services
19 Christmas cards/decorations
Glenda Riles – Granite Belt Drought Assist
4 x $100 Gleesons Mercery, school uniform vouchers
2 x $40 hair cut vouchers
4 x $50 Howard & Sonâs Mitre 10
4 x $50 Stanthorpe Quality Meats butcher
4 x $80 fuel from Stanthorpe Fuel & Services
$620 worth of Spanoâs IGA Stanthorpe $20 vouchers
25 toys
Large Box of hanes underwear
10 Chrisco hampers
Sandra Head – Southern Downs Emergency Relief
10x $50 BP Fuel vouchers
10x $50 Spanoâs IGA Warwick
10x $50 Woolworths wish cards â donated from Queensland Rail