Taree and surrounding Regions of New South Wales have recently been impacted by devastating floods with the livelihood of residents in these communities being disrupted, with significant damage to homes, animal farms and loss of belongings. The NSW Region of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation of Australia & PNG (SSSIOA) reached out to the community in Taree and discovered ways that members could best assist with flood relief efforts.
After accessing the needs that the members could address, a number of approaches were undertaken. Support efforts included a non-perishable food delivery through its connection with Foodbank and the donation of items in need, which included a truck load of cleaning supplies, blankets, pillows, toasters and kettles. To assist farmers affected, the Region also donated bales of hay and animal feed.
Over the NSW long weekend in June (Friday, 13 June – Sunday, 15 June), adults, young adults and SSE children from across the Region came together in service through the following initiatives:
· On Friday 13 June, 9 members collected around 830 blankets and over 100 pillows from a community partner that launders airline bedding which the SSSIOA has worked with for a few years.
· On Saturday 14 June, over 30 members came together across 6 hours to quality check, sanitise, fold and pack 662 blankets to deliver to Taree and the rest in other areas in Sydney to keep the homeless warm.
· On Sunday 15 June, 6 members drove to Taree to donate items directly in the hands of the those running local relief efforts. Those managing the efforts had set up a supermarket style space with a wide range of sorted items for the affected members of the community to take what will be of use to them.
· On Friday 20 June, 45 bales of Hay and 60 x 20kg bags of animal feed purchased for farm animals were dispatched by the suppliers to support the impacted farmers in the Taree region.
Our members were overcome by the warm reception and expressions of gratitude by the community for the love and support the NSW Region provided.
This community service gave members of all ages the opportunity to come together in unity to serve those in hardship and offer love in action.
