Sue and John Smith, CareSouth Donors
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” –Dr. Seuss
It started with one woman who cared “a whole awful lot” and was inspired by CareSouth’s work. Local South Coast resident Sue Smith attended a regular Berry Zonta meeting where she learned about CareSouth and the Aunties & Uncles program. She was inspired by the presentation and decided to do something about it.
“My husband and I were not in the position to commit the time needed to be an aunty or uncle, but after we heard about CareSouth’s wonderful program, we wanted to contribute somehow,” said Ms Smith, who helps run Rural Bitumen Services in Berry with her husband. “The opportunity to give something back to our community is a very satisfying thing to do and also knowing that there are families willing to give their time to enrich the lives of children who are not so fortunate is inspirational.”
The Aunties and Uncles program links community volunteers with children up to 12 years of age from families who could benefit from support. Generally the child or young person is given an opportunity to experience life with another family by spending one weekend a month with them. The program is based on the belief that giving time, friendship, care and guidance can help build a child’s self esteem and confidence.
“All children deserve the opportunity to be the best that they can and the Aunties and Uncles program endeavours to do just that with guidance and friendship in a positive family environment,” said Ms Smith. “If our sponsorship can assist this valuable work to continue we are more than happy and urge other businesses to do the same.”
In addition to her own donation, Sue encouraged other Zonta members to also contribute to CareSouth. What originally started as a donation from Sue and John Smith grew to an additional one-off donation from the Zonta Club of Berry, an organization built on the principles of trust and honesty.
“The members of the Zonta Club in Berry had the privilege of listening to Jack Laidlaw talk to us of the great work that CareSouth does through their Aunties and Uncles program in looking after children who need the support of a family situation far different from what they are experiencing in their daily lives. As President of the Berry Club I was proud to be part of the decision to sponsor a child with the members of our club…this I hope will make all the difference to a child in need,” said Lorna Wardle, President, Zonta Club of Berry.
“We are so grateful for this ongoing support which will help the 75 children and their volunteer mentors in the CareSouth Aunties & Uncles program,” said Clare Wilson, Aunties & Uncles program operations manager.
“The money that both the Smiths and the Zonta Club donate in 2011 is going towards the contingency fund for children in the program,” said Wilson.
“This fund covers children for one-off needs such as the cost of swimming lessons, toiletries or clothing for some children who go to stay with carers on the weekend without clean clothes, holiday camp for a child in need, and educational resources to assist with literacy and numeracy.”
April 2011
