A MOUNT Gambier woman has is dedicated to ensuring disadvantaged children stay warm this winter with the creation of a winter wear campaign.
After being placed in the role of pastoral care worker for Re-Engage Youth Services last year covering two local primary schools, Trudi Shelton identified the need for warm winter clothing and footwear.
“As a single mother of four primary school aged children myself, I have survived through the years of being given ‘hand me downs’ from family and friends,” she said.
Wanting to do the same for the children in need, Ms Shelton cleaned out her own children’s wardrobes, gathering clothes, shoes and rain jackets to donate to the school.
However, the need was greater than she could contribute, so Ms Shelton reached out to her friends to also contribute to the cause by creating a small Facebook group.
“The idea of the request was that after people have taken care of passing on clothing to friends and family, if there was anything left, would they kindly donate it to me to distribute to schools for children and families in need,” she said.
“The response was brilliant – before I knew it I had over 1300 members of the community that were now a part of the cause which I began to call Mount Gambier Winter Wear for Kids in Need.”
Donations began to pour in and through the help of the Mount Gambier City Council, a wheelie bin was placed at one of the schools as a drop off point with Ms Shelton’s home as the second.
Soon their was a surplus of clothing with donations spreading to another six local primary schools and one high school.
“It was a great success that put not only many winter jackets, clothing and shoes on these gorgeous kids in need, but also put many smiles on their now warm faces too,” Ms Shelton said.
This year, Ms Shelton has a team of volunteers to assist with the collection, sorting and distribution of items from The Bookplace storage shop in Ripley Arcade.
A total of seven other local businesses have also stepped forward to be drop off locations for donations.
“I am so grateful for their contribution and amazing support – every single one of the business owners approached me to help without me having to ask,” Ms Shelton said.
All items donated this year will be passed onto children and families in need at eight different locations throughout the Limestone Coast, including North Gambier, Melaleuca, Nangwarry, MacDonald Park and Yahl primary schools, Gordon Education Centre and the Independent Learning Centre.
“I am so inspired by the response of the community, their kindness, their time and effort that has been put in to generously contribute to this campaign, locals supporting locals, it makes me so proud of my community,” Ms Shelton said.
With only two weeks of the campaign left for this year, Ms Shelton said they are seeking winter wear “hand me downs” in children’s size 5 to 18 to provide for young boys, girls and teenagers.
Items can be donated to any of the seven businesses where they will then be distributed to the next school waiting for donations.
Underwear and socks must not be donated as “hand me downs”, however brand new items can be purchased and also donated.
Search Mt Gambier Winter Wear For Kids in Need on Facebook to keep up to date with the campaign.
