With cost-of-living pressures permeating all corners of Australia, Benalla’s Esther Davies decided she wanted to do her bit to ensure children starting school are not disadvantaged.
When Ms Davies noticed an initiative run in Wangaratta that encouraged local people to donate essential school items, she decided to do the same in Benalla.
“A lady, Donna Vickery, has been doing this to help the Wangaratta community,” Esther said.
“I contacted her and asked if she would mind if I did the same in Benalla.”
The idea is simple. Esther will collect donations from anyone who can assist, and those who needs help can pop along to Tomorrow Today at Cecily Court to collect items for their youngster on one of two days:
- Friday, January 19, from 11am to 4pm.
- Monday, January 22, from 11am to 4pm.
Items donated can be brand new or second-hand.
Esther said that anything second-hand must be good quality and ready to be used.
Items requested include:
- Lunch boxes
- Drink bottles
- Stationary
- Uniforms
- Plain socks black, navy or white
- Shoes (only school uniform required shoes please )
- Backpacks
- School hats
And to give the appeal a head start Esther has secured a range of back to school items which were generously donated by Officeworks in Shepparton.
Esther said the idea behind the appeal is that it is makes a huge difference to have all children starting school to have a level-playing field.
“I know cost of living is a big concern at the moment,” she said.
“And it’s the small things that can help kids engage with school.
“So even if we can give a child a new lunch box, like their friends, it would mean so much.
“Thank you to Donna Vickery for the idea, Officeworks in Shepparton for their generous donation and Tomorrow Today for helping with a location to distribute the items.”
If you have any items you would like to donate you can call Esther on 0424 816 767 to arrange to drop them off with her. Donations must be dropped off prior to Friday, January 19.