The successful Orange Sky Laundry celebrated its 12 months’ operation with a low-key gathering at Port Macquarie’s Town Green on Sunday, November 18.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coupled with the lunch, many people arrived with donations of new socks and undies as part of a drive to further help homeless people in the region.
Organiser Alison Neale praised all volunteers for participating in the community-based, nationwide Orange Sky Laundry.
Mrs Neale said the mere fact the service was still operating 12 months after its inception showed that it was a success.
“Today’s event marks 12 months since Orange Sky has been operating in the Port Macquarie-Hastings,” she said.
“This event is about acknowledging the success of that year.
“The community has been right behind us, ever since we started fundraising for our van; the support has been wonderful.
“As well as thanking our volunteers, we are also collecting new socks and undies and people have been able to drop into to see us today and make that donation.
“The socks and undies will be used to give homeless people a small gift in the lead up to Christmas.”
Mrs Neale said the event was an opportunity to say thank you to everybody for their contributions.
The socks and undies will be used to give homeless people a small gift in the lead up to Christmas.
- Alison Neale
Orange Sky Laundry is currently running eight shifts a week which is an average of some 25 washes per week. The 2019 target is to run 10 shifts per week.
Mrs Neale said the success of Orange Sky showed that the service is needed and welcomed.
“It is an idea that paid off and it is something that is needed in this area and across the Mid-North Coast,” she added.
The service will always welcome more volunteers or anyone who can help out.
Mrs Neale said volunteers can make themselves available for weekly, fortnight or even monthly volunteering.
“We welcome all levels of support and contributions,” she said.
“While our many volunteers participate with us out of the goodness of their heart and not the recognition, it is sometimes just great for us to be able to say thank you to these wonderful people,” she added.
To find out more or to volunteer go to the Orange Sky Laundry website.
Mrs Neale said lodge your interest on the website and they will get in contact with you.