Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH
CHRISTMAS cheer has been delivered to homes in Millicent through the efforts of Red Cross volunteers.
Millicent resident Mark Osmond was delighted to welcome Red Cross volunteer Derek Bowering to his home on Monday when he delivered a gift hamper filled with treats.
Mr Osmond expressed his gratitude to Mr Bowering and Red Cross for the donation.
“This is the first time I have received a hamper from Red Cross,” Mr Osmond said,
“Red Cross helps me a lot by driving me to appointments with doctors at Portland and Hamilton about my injured shoulder.
“I will stay home for Christmas Day and having friends over.”
Mr Bowering has been a volunteer driver for Red Cross for several years and averages about one day per week on the road in a vehicle provided by Wattle Range Council.
He said most of the trips were people who needed transport to medical and other appointments.
“I get a buzz out of helping people who most need it,” Mr Bowering said.
Red Cross Limestone Coast and Murray Mallee regional manager David Walshaw said the hampers were provided through the support of the Adelaide Red Cross office.
Mr Walshaw said the staff fundraised for them across the state through their efforts in the City to Bay Fun Run.
“Woolworths also helped out with the resourcing and distribution of the hampers before them being individually packed and wrapped by local Red Cross staff,” Mr Walshaw said.
“Volunteers will deliver 18 of them in the week leading up to Christmas.
“The main idea behind the fundraising was to provide a hamper to individuals who will spend Christmas day alone and we identified these clients through our TeleCross program which is one where our volunteers make a phone call in the morning to check on people’s welfare.
“It’s just a short call with the focus on making sure isolated people are safe and a little more connected to their community and occurs 365 days a year, even on Christmas day.
“Next year we will look to expand the program and team up with other service clubs and not-for-profit organisations to provide much needed humanitarian support in our communities at this time of the year.”
