A market day with a worthy cause Sunday’s Community Markets supporting RDA Orange
Rotary Club of Orange’s Community Markets are back at the Orange Showground this Sunday, March 16, and as you make your donation at the gate on your way to nab a bargain, buy some delicious homemade goods or that perfect gift, know that your money is going to help a very worthy local cause.
Rotary is donating all the gate-takings from Sunday’s market to Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Orange, a volunteer group providing local school children with therapeutic horse-related activities out at Clifton Grove.
RDA Orange secretary Deb Finlay said it is an inspiring thing to see the positive impact their horses have on the lives of many children.
“Having to interact with us in that easy, going manner to get on a horse, helping them learn how to trust a horse… when you watch that child's behaviour change from being really, really scared of a horse to being able to touch the horse, to being able to get on it and ride it and then being fully confident, It's really amazing,” she said
“We had one child that it took the whole year to get in that way and at the end of the year at his school, he did a dance on the stage!. This child, who was so shy, quiet and didn't love change, is up on stage dancing to music with two others. It was an amazing transformation.”
But maintaining their 13 horses and riding facilities is not cheap, and the work of RDA Orange is not funded by the government.
“The only funds that we get, we get from the community. And in fact, our community does support us brilliantly, as shown by Rotary thinking of us for receiving this gift,” Deb said.
Along with funds, RDA Orange is always looking for volunteers to lend a hand, whether it be working with the horses, working with the children or behind the scenes.
“You can choose what your preference is as to what you wish to do with the groups of children. It is an easy-going volunteer group,” Deb said.
RDA Orange will have a stall at the markets on Sunday if anyone would like to know more about the organisation.
“If you want to have a chat with us, you’ll see us in our blue shirts with our sign, RDA Orange… It's as tall as I am! You won’t miss us,” Deb said.
Don’t miss the Rotary Club of Orange’s Community Markets at the Orange Showground this Sunday, March 16, from 9am to 2pm. Stallholders will be selling: primary produce, plants, food and non-alcoholic beverages, toys, cosmetics, bric-a-brac, clothing, jewellery and accessories, quality second-hand goods, arts and crafts, books and homeware, leather goods, succulents, handmade bags, gems/opals, toys, succulents, baby goods, hair goods, honey, salts and rubs, décor, mosaics and more!
For more information about the market, visit www.rotarycluboforange.org.au or the club’s Facebook page.