A group of Killcare residents have banded together to help flood-affected families in the Northern Rivers by collecting boxes of essential items, medicines and appliances.
The ‘Tubs of Love’ initiative, which is run through the Bouddi Home Markets group, delivered its first round of goods to Woollongbar on Saturday, March 19.
Group founder, Lisa Mount, said over 30 local families have helped donate to the cause.
“We’ve been collecting donations of essential and pre-loved items for the Mullumbimby High School community for the past two weeks to deliver to the Northern Rivers,” Mount said.
“We’re also taking up fridges, washing machines, dryers, baby cots and more.
Mount said she loved seeing kids getting involved in the initiative, donating their favourite reads to bring destroyed libraries back to life and thinking beyond themselves.
“It’s great to see little people growing in gratitude and experiencing the fulfillment of giving … realising that it’s not stuff that makes us happy, it’s relationships, being an integral part of something more than ourselves [and] contributing to community however small or large that is at any given time.
“It’s pretty damn amazing how much we can get done as communities when we get creative and think outside the box.”
Items in need included medicines, nappies, baby supplies, kids toys, books, white goods and appliances, and clothes.
“Items that were urgently needed were collected by the SES within hours and taken to the Wardell community volunteer hub for immediate use,” Mount said.
“Fridges, washing machines, dryers and tubs of children’s clothes and toys were delivered to very grateful Brunswick Heads locals … and little ones didn’t take long to start playing with their Duplo and Lego donations.
“The books are off to local primary school libraries and the Lismore library – all of whom lost everything.”
With the recent wet weather wreaking havoc across the east coast, Mullumbimby High School experienced ‘catastrophic damage’, with all equipment condemned and students unable to return to school for weeks.
Mullumbimby High School teacher, Soph Mount, thanked the community for their support.
“They pulled up at 8:30pm with two utes and two trailers of tubs that were packed with such love, generosity and kindness it was overwhelming,” she said.
“Thank you to [Lisa] for dropping everything to coordinate this for us … and to the Bouddi community for your endless kindness and giving.”
Brunswick Heads resident, Bailey, said she was so grateful for the donations after ‘losing everything’.
“Oh my god that box of clothes and shoes was a treasure trove,” she said.
“The boys are so stoked… thank you all so much.”
Lisa Mount and the Bouddi Home Markets group is planning to deliver another batch of essential items to the Northern Rivers on April 18.
Affected families have asked for white goods and tubs of essential items, with a full list to be made available on April 1.
To donate items, visit the Bouddi Home Markets Facebook page and send Lisa a message or, alternatively, visit homemarkets.com.au
Maisy Rae