By Ava Schwebach
Whittlesea Community House held a sold-out high tea fundraiser this month, with community groups joining together to raise money for those struggling with the constant rise of the cost of living.
The Whittlesea Community House is a not-for-profit organisation with the mission to reduce social isolation and provide opportunities for those who need assistance. They are a community-based organisation that is made up of 68 volunteers.
Whittlesea Community House Fundraiser Coordinator Glenys McDonald said she understood the struggle people are going through during these times, and had put in an enormous amount of effort into the event.
“The community house is fundraising today for the never-ending increase in the cost-of-living, and we’re putting all the funds raised today from the raffle and the silent auction towards our food relief to help all the needy people in Whittlesea,” she said.
With more than 110 attendees raising close to $5000, Ms McDonald commented on how this event has grown since it started.
“This event was sold out in the first two months, and we have had people continually asking for tickets. We currently have 113 women attending and it’s been very popular,” she said.
“I have even had people [the day before the event] asking to see if they could get tickets, but we have just been sold out. They’re all queuing up out the front which just shows how enthusiastic they are.”
Attendees were able to donate their money towards the fundraiser by entering the raffle and silent auction, with many local businesses sponsoring the event.
The profits raised will go towards the organisation’s food relief programs, which provide 132 people with food packages each fortnight, 40–60 hampers each week, and food for their community pantry.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence was grateful to be able to attend this year’s high tea to support and encourage all the hard-working volunteers.
“It is terrific, there are so many people here supporting the community house who do amazing work for the local community, so it’s really great to able to be here and also support the community house and thank the volunteers who do amazing work,” she said.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage recognised all the effort and care the organisation has for those who are struggling, and praised their efforts.
“These women inspire me — Glenys, Ursla, Margaret, and all of them who have heart for the community [and] know that some people are doing it really hard at the moment. To see these women not only inspire to help other people, but to motivate and encourage other people to do the same thing is fantastic,” she said.
