How To Help Bayside's Bush Fire Relief PDF Print E-mail

Bayside Church has been inundated with responses and offers of help for the current bush fire relief program. Thank you to everyone for your wonderful generosity and willingness to be part of such a profound outpouring of support for our community.

Here are some key ways you can help:
 
DONATE


Bendigo
From today Bayside Church is operating as a receiving centre for aid that will be sent to Victory Church, Bendigo for distribution to those in need in the Bendigo community.  The following items are needed:


-  Food (non perishable items only)
-  Toiletries
-  Clothes (new or nearly new)
-  Undergarments (new only)
-  Toys
-  Baby Products (Nappies, wipes, formula, clothing)
-  School supplies
-  Household items (linen, cutlery, crockery, towels, etc - not furniture)


Vouchers

Vouchers will also be received on behalf of the relief effort and preferred retailers are:

Coles Myer (including Kmart, Target, etc) and Bunnings

Vouchers need to be handed in at reception, clearly marked "Bushfire Relief".


Finance

Special offerings for Bush Fire Relief will be received at all Bayside Church services this weekend.  If you have friends or family members who would like to make a donation please encourage them to either phone the Bayside Church office on (03) 9585 2455 or follow this link to donate via the website and select Community Care and in the description please mark as Bush Fire Relief.


ADOPT A FAMILY


Bayside Church has 'adopted' the Dowling Family from Hazeldene just north of Kinglake. Close friends of Ted and Roma Waterman, the Dowlings lost everything over the weekend. Graeme was at the lake with three of their four children when the CFA warning came through.  They immediately returned to their home to find the fire almost upon it.  Graeme put the kids in the car, in bathers and towels, and ran inside to get the family photos.  They left with just the photos and clothes they had on. Mum, Bronwyn, and the older daughter were at ballet class and connected with the rest of the family some time later.


We would like to bless this beautiful family and encourage you to donate items specifically for them. Bronwyn and Graeme are early 40’s, and their children are Rachael 15, Joshua 14, Samuel 8 and Emily 2. Please make sure all donations for the Dowling Family are clearly marked as being for the “Dowling Family.”


All donations for both Bendigo and the Dowling Family can be dropped into the Bayside Centre in Cheltenham Monday thru Friday between 10am and 4pm and before and after the weekend services at Cheltenham, Frankston and South Melbourne.


VOLUNTEER


Bayside Church

Bayside Church needs volunteers to assist with the sorting and packing of goods.  If you are available during the day between 10am and 4pm please contact Deborah Gates.


Melbourne City Mission

Department of Human Services are asking for volunteers to man the relief centres at Diamond Creek and Whittlesea.  The role involves filling in forms and assisting those people who have lost their homes and family members.  Please follow up with Maureen Smyth at Melbourne City Mission on msmythe@mcm.org.au


If you have any questions about any of the above please direct them to Deborah Gates at Bayside Community Care.