A book sale at Macmasters Beach held on Easter Saturday has raised more than $1,800 for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC).
The organisation provides aid, justice and empowerment programs to over 1,000 asylum seekers living in the community seeking refugee protection.
It is run by a team of volunteers and paid staff.
Macs resident Kathy King, who put the organisation forward as the recipient of the book sale funds, said with asylum seekers and refugees receiving minimal government help, she felt supporting the ASRC was extremely important on compassionate grounds.
“The ASRC provides housing support, food and practical assistance in creating a bridge for people trying to settle into our communities,” she said.
“There is not enough information about on the plight of refugees – we still have children in detention on Christmas Island.
“The more we get to understand their personal stories, the better we can offer support.
“And the more the community becomes engaged, the less disenfranchised they will feel.
“Some people can wait up to eight years for their application for refugee status to go through and, in that time, they are expected to find work and keep their families afloat without any government aid.”
King said refugees and asylum seekers had much to offer their new communities.
Hundreds of used volumes were sold at the book sale, held at Macmasters Beach hall, with $1,851 raised.
King said the response was phenomenal.
“When people found out where they money was going, they would hand over $20 for a couple of $2 books and say keep the change,” she said.
“It was such a great response.”
King’s next project is organising a luncheon to include refugees on the Coast for Anzac Day with more activities expected to take place during Refugee Week in June.
Terry Collins
There are better causes than refugees such as save the children fund and world vision