Businesses donate to those doing it tough
Businesses across the island and San Remo supported the “nominate a mate to donate” campaign, for those doing it tough in the pandemic
Nurses across Bass Coast were showered with chocolate bars last week, as thanks from a Phillip Island hardware store.
Bowen hardware donated $500 worth of chocolates to nurses who have been wearing full PPE gear through the pandemic, with the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory adding to the donation, providing just over 200 chocolate bars, each valued at $4.50.
The donation was just one made by eight businesses across the island and San Remo, following the Advertiser’s “nominate a mate to donate” campaign, for those doing it tough in the pandemic.
Local supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores gave more than $4000 worth of donations.
Bowen hardware in total donated $1500 cash, while San Remo IGA gave $1000 worth of food vouchers. Australia Post has given away an unlocked Opel Smartx6 mobile phone ($199), a Thomson 40inch TV ($249) and a four-litre air fryer ($79). Cowes Priceline Pharmacy and Woolworths each offered $300 instore vouchers, while Terry White, Cowes Mitre 10 and Cowes IGA gave $200 each.
These are now being distributed to individuals and families nominated by readers.
Among those to receive the donations include Jill Cousins, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and is about to start an aggressive treatment regime. Jill’s husband died of cancer three years ago and this latest diagnosis is a huge blow for Jill and her four children.
There were also three other local families to receive donations who have a member currently being treated for cancer, including a family of six who run a local café, with the mum undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Another, Tracey Bell, is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy while her husband is stuck in Kenya due to the pandemic.
Some recipients wished to remain anonymous, with several experiencing domestic violence and homelessness, nominated by the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre manager Greg Thompson.
“We recently had to assist a local family of five, who became unemployed due to Covid,” Greg explained.
“The family had fallen into rental arrears, were evicted from their rental property and found themselves homeless. There are numerous many more horrendous cases we have seen. PICAL also assists several single men who are homeless and living in their cars in beachfront car parks.”
