It’s called #dosomething day, but #feelgoodday would describe it just as well.
A drive for household goods that will give more than 100 local homeless families an even chance of getting their lives back on track reached its climax at Wests Leagues club Leumeah this morning.
Well almost, because the presentation to the Macarthur Homelessness Steering Committee was under way when people were still bringing in donations of toasters and kettles and other household products.
Wests Group Macarthur chief executive officer Tony Mathew made it an even better conclusion to the 2018 drive when he brought out a giant $5,000 cheque and gave it to Catherine Chopping, a member of the committee.
“This is on behalf of every one of our 70,000 members,’’ Mr Mathew said after praising Wests staff involved in the drive, and club patrons for their generosity in donating a large number of household items.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“This is not an issue we know that much about but the more we got to know about homelessness, the more glad I am we got involved,’’ he said.[/social_quote]
“Don’t worry, I know the families this money will help,’’ a beaming Ms Chopping said after the cheque presentation.
Local MP Greg Warren – who walked into the presentation area armed with a couple of brand new kettles and two toasters – said this was another great day to be in Macarthur.
“This drive to help our homeless people confirms once again what a generous community we have here in Macarthur,’’ he said.
“It shows what we can achieve when we work together.’’
His words were echoed by Campbelltown business chamber president Glenn Creecy.
“Charity begins at home and that’s what this is all about, well done to all involved,’’ he said.
More than 100 homeless people from Campbelltown and Macarthur will benefit for the large number of new and like new sets of drinking glasses, washing up sponges and pads, popcorn makers, sheets and blankets, packs of teas and a lot more besides.
Macarthur Homelessness Steering Committee will now deliver the goods to those who need it the most.
The committee is a network of community services and government organizations acting as a last resort for anyone experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in the Macarthur region.
It started out with the aim of raising awareness of the plight of disadvantaged persons across Macarthur.
Over the past six years it has evolved to also cover gaps in service provision to those who are homeless or are threatened with homelessness.
Homelessness in Macarthur is a real issue, even though it is not always obvious, says Catherine Chopping.
She says homelessness presents in a number of guises, from younger people couch surfing to those living in their cars.
The services represented currently on the committee are Argyle Housing, Hume Housing, Nagle Centre, St Vincent de Paul, Housing NSW, Human Services, Partners in Recovery, Campbelltown Council and Sector Connect.
There is also a community representative on the committee, which offers a referral service that offers financial support where all other services have been exhausted.
Assistance will be given for anything from brokerage and emergency accommodation to medical costs.
But the committee needs the support of the community, which is why it welcomes drives such as today’s #dosomethingday at Wests Leagues.
“This drive is just wonderful and makes a big difference every year to how many homeless people we can help in Macarthur,’’ says Catherine Chopping.
“It really is a feel good day.’’
It is great that the issue of homelessness is being highlighted in Campbelltown. The homeless problem is a result of the convergence of two major influences. The lack of building new welfare housing and the sale of existing homes and the rapidly increasing number of older people because of the baby boomers and the fact that an increasing number of these are women.