The inaugural Dollars for Dignity $10 Weekend fundraising drive has been an overwhelming success, raising an incredible $35,000 and smashing expectations.
The money raised from Dollars for Dignity is for the Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre’s Emergency Relief Fund and every cent donated goes to providing support for people in crisis in the Northern region of Blacktown LGA – one of the areas of concern during the current Covid19 outbreak in NSW.
The largest single donation came from the Riverstone-Schofields Memorial Club who donated a staggering $20,000 to the campaign, despite being closed for months due to lockdown restrictions.
“The Board and Management is very pleased to be able to provide the financial support to ensure the ongoing Emergency Relief Fund is delivered into the community where it is needed most through the ‘Dollars for Dignity’ initiative undertaken by Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre and its many supporters and worker”, said Mark Sheridan, CEO of the Riverstone Schofields Memorial Club.
Despite businesses currently feeling the pinch, they understand how important it is to support the community who has supported them and we’re more than willing to donate.
Amongst the other notable donations from business were $1000 donations from Market Country Meats and Windsor Fresh Meats, Fuller Cranes, Merc Capital Group and Doolan Plumbing,
Along with our $1000 donations we would like to acknowledge our $500 donations from he Riverstone Business Park, Mac's Hire, Roadmaster and Austeel.
We are grateful for all of Chamber members who contributed especially Alex Hemmer design for creating the artwork for the campaign.
Aiming to get 1000 people to donate $10 Dollars for Dignity was started for two reasons. First, to collect enough funding to sustain emergency relief for the community as we approach the Christmas period. Second, to raise awareness of the services RNC provides and connect our community, whether they were feeling isolated, new to the area or struggling under the weight of lockdowns.
Dollars for Dignity has been so successful and with so many people contacting us offering to help the donation site will now continue to accept donations on an ongoing basis.
Angela Van Dyke, CEO of Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre said, “Our Dollars for Dignity Campaign has been so successful. I want to extend our heartfelt “THANK YOU!” to everyone that has given, both financially and with other in-kind goods.
“I have been amazed at the endless generosity of our community to give in times of need. We are part of an amazing community.
“Our approach with emergency relief is always to provide dignity of choice and ensure people do not feel like a “charity case”.
“No one chooses to face a financial crisis, but we can choose to reach out for help, and we can choose to support people in need in practical ways. Our Dollars for Dignity campaign allows all of us to make an important contribution, no matter how small.
“Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre has been providing Emergency Relief to individuals and families for many years. We rely on the generosity of our community, residents, and businesses to fund that work.
“We offer confidential support, that is free and provided by qualified and skilled professionals. We work with people to understand the issues they face, and goals they seek to achieve. We offer dignity when people are at their lowest and hope to believe that tomorrow can be a better day.
“We support each other to create neighbourhoods, and “Building a Stronger Community Together”. Winston Churchill captures this with the quote “we make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give”.
Dollars for Dignity $10 weekend was an initiative of The Riverstone, Schofields and Districts Chamber of Commerce.
“When the second wave of Covid hit us, a lot of our businesses started struggling, we’ve got a very big asset in the Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre and thankfully they are there to help our community and our businesses during this tough time.” said Sue Lawrence, President of the Riverstone, Schofields and Districts Chamber of Commerce.
“We’ve been thinking about how we can help our members and how do we help the community? Because really, our businesses are only as strong as the community around them. My community is our community.
“In the current climate, the target of $10,000 will last for around 6 weeks, every dollar above that means people in our community can receive the help they need leading into the Christmas period.
“During the lockdown period from the end of June to September 2021 RNC received more a 300% increase in calls for help and almost emptied the emergency relief fund.
“Due to the generosity of the businesses and individuals across Sydney we know RNC can continue to provide for our community who has been hit particularly hard this year.”
Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre a registered charity, with all donations over $2 tax deductible.
