Fatima Halloum
The Werribee South Country Women’s Association will donate proceeds from its annual garage sale to flood-affected communities in Lismore.
The group was able to raise just under $1000 by selling plants, books, kitchenware and toys on Saturday, March 19.
CWA Werribee South president Julia Toffolon said the garage sale did “extremely well” and all leftover items were donated to local op shops.
“It’s pretty good because we’re known for being really cheap, we sell things for two dollars,” Ms Toffolon said.
“We’re going to allocate the money to the CWA in New South Wales to help the victims of the floods, because they know what their people need.”
Earlier this month Lismore, a town in NSW, was devastated by floods reaching almost 15 metres, destroying more than 2000 properties and leaving five people dead.
Although the distance meant the women’s group couldn’t roll up their sleeves and physically assist people living in flood affected areas, Ms Toffolon said they would do everything they could to help, despite living a state away.
“We can’t go up there and help them clean their houses out, but we can do what we can do.”
“It’s important that they know that someone down in Melbourne cares, some little CWA in Werribee South really cares, things like that warm you and make you feel more connected.”
In times of hardship, Ms Toffolon believes the community needs to work collaboratively to help one another.
“If there’s a need, just jump in and do it. You don’t say ‘well hang on a minute, that’s not my job, someone else will do that’ someone else is us, we are someone else,” she said.
“Everyone is needed. We don’t whinge about it, we just do it.”
The CWA hosts multiple events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for various charities including mother’s support groups, foodbank and for children living in foster care.
Details: Julia Toffolon, 0409 045 306
