OUR SAY: Winter's a time for making sure we truly care

Turn up the dial on the central heating or stoke the open fire, then have a warm, hearty meal out of the cold and later, settle down in front of the TV.

Getting warm when it's cold is often easier than getting cool when it's hot, but if you cannot afford to do so then our colder months can be a difficult time to negotiate.

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For if you cannot afford winter's simple pleasures then you are quite literally left out in the cold.

It's a scenario experienced daily for many people in our community, and how we respond to that need is a mark of our shared compassion and commitment.

RELATED: Winter appeal for those helped by Carevan, feeling COVID strain

Suffice to say, the Border community has always been generous in this way.

That has been shown repeatedly, from one generation to the next, in all manner of ways.

It is that very spirit that those from The Carevan Foundation now hopes to tap into for what is such a key part of the work it does in the Border community.

The foundation is all too happy to hear from people willing to volunteer to assist with its meal services, for example.

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But it also wants the community's input with its winter appeal; again, to help those who need such assistance to get through the next few months.

The appeal involves people donating a range of goods, through a collection point set up outside the Kmart store with the assistance of West End Plaza.

What's needed is a whole range of items - everything from blankets and socks to toiletries, especially for men.

But as always, there remains a strong focus on being able to deliver meals for those most in need.

The COVID-19 public health orders meant this was severely restricted in 2020, but now that things have opened up the meal services can be expanded.

As foundation director Jacqui Partington says, what's needed is people willing to turn up and help serve a meal, with a friendly smile on their face, as "every little bit of service counts".

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