SUPPORT FOR BUSHFIRE RELIEF AND RECOVERY
Text by Lynne Deans I Customer Service Manager and Emilie Gachassin I Marketing Coordinator
With Australia experiencing one of the worst bushfire seasons on record, people from all over the country came together to help the communities and affected wildlife. The bravery of our volunteer fire fighters, emergency services and animal rescue groups has been inspiring and incredibly heart-warming during this sad time. THBC team members Sandy Paxton and Vivienne Barker could not stand by and watch without taking some action to assist. Sandy and Vivienne, both wives of fire fighters sent out a call for support from THBC staff and members to help those people left with nothing.
Donations were sought for non-perishable care necessities and within days we had a room full of boxes filled with canned foods, water, toiletries, clothes, toys and linen. Doug Fuller THBC Facilities Manager dropped the donated goods to the pickup zone in Pottsville where they were transported to the affected areas and delivered to those in need. This was an enormous team effort and everybody can be very proud of their efforts.
As part of a larger Bushfire appeal on Friday 17th of January, Tweed Heads Bowls Club conducted a Club wide fundraiser to raise money for the NSW Fire Service, the Red Cross and Wires, with members and staff dressed in yellow and orange to show their support for our RFS heroes.
All proceeds from the raffles and bingo on the day were donated along with $1 from every main sold and $1 from every schooner sold throughout the Club. Our Social bowlers got right behind the event and generously donated all money raised from social bowls for the entire week!
With members and guests giving generously, the THBC board agreed to match all funds raised $1 for $1 and this combined effort saw a total of $10,000 raised.
We had a surprise visit from the Bilambil Rural Fire Brigade on the day who came by to thank our team for their support. The generosity of our members, guests and staff was overwhelming and a perfect example of the generous spirit of our Club and our community. Congratulations and thank you to all.
Images: THBC’s Sandy Paxton was instrumental in getting the fund-raising event started.
