Board members of the Twin Towns group, comprising the Services Club and its affiliated philanthropic association, the Twin Towns Services Community Foundation, voted unanimously to commit $440,000 to bushfire and drought appeals.
Twin Towns Chairman Michael Fraser said the donations address the need for immediate support for victims of the bushfires, as well as a schedule of ongoing financial assistance for drought-stricken communities across Australia.
“When we canceled the New Year’s fireworks in favour of donating the money to the bushfire appeal, we were totally overwhelmed by the messages of support from our local community,” Mr. Fraser said.
“This endorsement, especially from our members, was the catalyst for substantially increasing the sum we originally planned to donate to over $400,000. We knew it absolutely reflected members’ values and their expectations of their Club. If it wasn’t for our members, the backbone of our Club, we wouldn’t be in a position to make this donation. Each and every member has played a role in making this happen.”
The donations include $160,000 in immediate funding for bushfire recovery efforts and $60,000 for drought relief efforts. An additional $220,000 in financial support for drought relief will be donated in $20,000 monthly increments over the next 12 months.
The Chairman said he and the Board are truly inspired by what is currently happening around the country.
“The huge number of Clubs, the general public and businesses, large and small, donating time, money, food, clothing and even kids’ toys, reinforces the true spirit of mateship that exists in our country,” Mr. Fraser said. “I acknowledge my fellow Directors for making a balanced and considered contribution, one which reflects the gravity of the situation. I firmly believe it’s a good decision; the right decision.”
Organisations and appeals to receive financial assistance from Twin Towns include:
- The Salvation Army Drought and Bushfire Appeals; Team Rubicon, deploying Australian Defence Force veterans to assist drought-affected rural communities;
- Buy a Bale, providing stock feed, water and financial assistance;
- Blaze Aid, a volunteer-based organisation working across rural Australia;
- Rotary, delivering every dollar donated to local communities that need them most, including the Mid North Coast region.
CAPTION: Twin Towns Board Chairman Michael Fraser and Salvation Army Chaplain, Marty Thompson.
