Timing is everything for 16 Border community groups who will share nearly $150,000 in grants distributed five months early.
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The Rotary Club of Albury brought forward its regular giving program, due to be rolled out in March/April, recognising many usual fundraising activities couldn't go ahead in 2020.
"We thought why are we waiting until next February (to start), we can do it now," club treasurer Charlene Gleeson said yesterday.
"This is the time when they'll really need money."
The total pool of $149,188 included $30,000 to Carevan for the meal service and Sun Smiles program while the Women's Centre for Health and Wellbeing received $20,000 for a domestic and family violence counsellor.
Albury PCYC gained $18,578 and the Albury Country Women's Association $10,000 to help replace its 50 year-old kitchen.
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There was $6700 for the Vinnies Christmas Cheer program and $5000 to the St Matthew's emergency food program for Christmas hampers.
"I think we've got a real good mix and we've also given some to Corryong for the bushfire container project," Mrs Gleeson said.
Carevan director Jacqui Partington said its allocation would support the Sun Smiles dental program, Christmas appeal and running costs, which had increased during the pandemic.
"Because we can't set up our nightly meal serving, we're doing a lot of deliveries so there's extra motor vehicle expenses, extra, certainly, takeaway containers - it might sound trivial but it all adds up," she said.
Ms Partington thanked the Rotary Club of Albury for its generous grant.
"We're thrilled to be part of a community where we're all working together," she said.
"More than that, it's a coming together of a shared moral purpose to make sure that anyone who needs support gets it in this difficult time."
PCYC Albury said its share of the funding would be used to install evaporative air conditioning in the gym room.
Cooling this large space would allow a wider range of activities all year round.
"It is great to be able to receive the necessary funds now so that our members can keep cool whilst exercising during our long hot summer ahead," a PCYC Albury spokesperson said.
Since being set up in 1990, the Rotary foundation has given more than $1.5 million to non-profit organisations in the region.
