A community sewing bee in Bargara on Tuesday and a market on Saturday will assist bushfire victims and wildlife.
One reason why Beverley Whip has organised to help fire-affected families and wildlife and that's because she once lost everything to fire.
In 2007 Beverley was shown the generosity of the Elliott Heads community after losing everything she owned in a housefire.
“I know how it feels to lose absolutely everything you own,” Beverley said.
“Our community was wonderful to me joining my time of loss, I will forever be in their debt for the kindness, support and help given to me.”
Beverley said it wasn’t until she was comforting her son, Kelly, about the fires that were currently happening in New South Wales and Victoria that she realised she needed to help.
“My son never knew about my house fire and I thought it was time to tell him, but how do you explain to a six-year-old that you don’t even have a toothbrush after something like that,” she said.
“When we spoke, he then decided he would like to donate some of his books for the children to have and read, but we realised it can be hard to send the families everything they need and that’s why we are going to hold a market to sell stuff and give 100 per cent of the money to a family in need.
“It will be flea market style where others can come and set up a stall and sell their pre-loved items too.”
Sewing bee offers ways to help fire-affected wildlife
Beverley said the initial plan was to hold a sewing bee on Tuesday, 14 January, where the community was invited to join in and sew much-needed pouches for wildlife rescue groups; then it was decided to hold a community market on Saturday, 18 January.
She said this sewing bee had been suggested by local group of “fabulous ladies”, and it was being organised by herself and co-business owner Kathy Vaulks and anyone could go along to help.
“It is all very last minute I know, but they (the bushfire victims) are desperate and need help and they need it now,” Beverley said.
“So, we needed somewhere big enough for anyone willing to help and that’s when Councillor Greg Barnes helped us out and we are having it at the Bargara community centre on Tuesday.
“There will be lots to do, with some people sewing and others who can just call passed to provide moral support or make a cup of coffee or even just have a chat.
“It's just important people remember to bring their own supplies for making the items.
“We are desperately in need of sewing machines if anyone was happy to stop by and loan us a machine that would be great.”
The voluntary sewing, knitting and crochet activities will start at 9.30am on Tuesday at the Bargara Community and Cultural Centre on Hughes Road.
She said it would be nice to help both fire-affected families and wildlife in return for the support she was given by the Bundaberg community so many years ago.
Beverley said the community market would be held at Turtle Paradise Cafe on Saturday and was open to stall holders who were willing to give their time and sell their pre-loved belongings with 100 per cent of sales going to a family in need.
For more information contact Artisan 4670.
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