LOCAL businesses will spread festive cheer across the Millicent community with a modern twist on the traditional “12 Days of Christmas” next month.
Buoyed by the season for giving, South East Property Sales and Mangement (SEPSM) will host a “12 Days of Christmas” online auction to raise funds for the community funnel which supports individuals, organisations and groups in need within the Wattle Range region.
SEPSM owner Fiona Telfer first pitched the idea at a staff meeting and it has since snowballed with a number of local businesses jumping on board in support by donating goods and services.
Ms Telfer said her business was working on behalf of other local businesses to provide a platform for them to give back to the community.
“Although South East Property is the hosts of this initiative, it is the other local businesses that have turned the initiative into a reality,” she said.
“We want to urge people to get involved and place bids.
“All of the funds raised are put into the community funnel to be invested back into our local South East community.
“The businesses have played their part, it is just up to the rest of the community to create the turn around.”
Ms Telfer said the auction items would be kept secret until their release date and the community funnel tried to cover every base so there was something in the auction for everyone.
“There are great gift hampers just in time for Christmas and unique, once in a lifetime experiences that people will not want to miss out on.
“We would like to put out a massive thank you to the businesses who are involved and made donations.
“It proves once again how community driven and supportive the South Eastern businesses are.”
The businesses have worked in collaboration to offer 12 auction items including services, experiences, goods and gifts, which range in price – some lower and some valued over $500.
Sonya Francis Photography, Enchanted Beauty by Brianna, Hair and Beauty by Jamey, Absolutely Anything, Sassi, Cocky’s Signs, New Heaven Indian Restaurant, Kym Redman, Toy Kingdom, Foster’s Foodland, Kutz on Kentish, Alliance Chemist Millicent, Mayurra Products, Banner Mitre 10 Millicent, The Central Hub Market, McCourts Garden Centre, Denton’s Sportspower, Hollick Wines and Woolworths have all supported the fundraiser.
“Local businesses have been so generous to donate their time, products and services,” Ms Telfer said.
“We understand that small business is sometimes tough, but the fact they have sacrificed goods they could sell for profit to instead donate and give back to the community they operate in is great to witness.
“Communities, small towns in particular, work in a way that community members and businesses lean on each other – if one of the two groups were to be on a downward slope as such, so too would the other.
“They are, to a certain degree, dependent on each other.
“As business owners, they all understand the importance of giving back.”
The online auction kicks off Saturday and to get involved bidders should follow the South East Property Sales and Management page on Facebook.
A new auction item will be posted on the page each day at 6pm and the public will bid in the comments section.
The highest bid made by Wednesday, December 19, wins the auction item.
Those who want to get involved, but do not have a Facebook account, can arrange for someone to bid on their behalf.
All proceeds raised from the fundraiser will be invested back into the local community.
