New dawn for Rotary’s fundraising thousands

It takes more than a once in 100-year pandemic to slow down Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak’s annual fund-raising efforts!

The local service club — COVID-19 lockdowns and all — raised more than $130 000 last financial year.

President Sue Moffatt described the outstanding result as a team effort from everyone in the Colour City.

“Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak would like to thank the Orange Community and all those who have visited Orange, who have been so willing to donate to charity events and at the Orange Farmers Markets.

“Despite COVID limitations, the Club raised and will distribute the equivalent of an astounding $130,000 this financial year,” she added. 

Ms Moffatt explained that the largest amount of money raised was from the Cruisin’ Along motoring event with $55,000 of this money to be donated to the Central West Clinical Trials Unit.

Other big fund-raisers included the Feast for Farmers primary producer wine and dine events which raised a smashing $32,000 which will be donated via GIVIT (the national not-for-profit organisation matching public and corporate generosity with genuine need) in the Orange and Cabonne region.

Orange’s Biggest Garage Sale also enabled $4000 to be donated to each of the Orange Aboriginal Men’s Group, Orange Prostate Cancer Support Group, Orange Men’s Shed with approximately $15,000 going towards a local prevention of suicide support group.

Other donations went to Rotary charities like Australian Rotary Health which researches mental illness, the End Polio and End Trachoma causes and Rotary Flood Relief.

“Most of the money stayed in the Orange and the surrounding districts,” Ms Moffitt explained.

“Donations of money, books and toys were made to Housing Plus’s “The Orchard” in Orange; new books were also given to local schools as part of the Literacy project and handbags were filled with toiletries for Share the Dignity,” she added.

Other beneficiaries included Orange Can Assist receiving $2000; Little Wings, which transports sick children to Sydney hospitals receiving $1500; and Orange Blue Ladies receiving $500.

“Last but not least, $4023 was donated to the Orange SES for a Ferno Reach Rescue Camera which will make life much easier for volunteers rescuing people from floods, storms and traffic accidents,” Ms Moffitt said.

“All this was only possible because of the communities’ generosity; the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak says ‘thank-you,’,” Ms Moffitt said.