As the insidious drought rolls on it seems that with each passing week there is another story about the local community doing their bit to help our farmers in need.
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And this time it’s Bellbird Community Preschool who, last week donated a formidable $2000 to the Buy A Bale campaign.
Staff and students banded together and dug deep for the school’s farmers week which saw the kids don farmer gear and give much-needed support to our men and women on the land.
Preschool director Michelle Cherniayeff said that she was overwhelmed with the level of support shown.
“It really was a fantastic result, especially considering we aimed to raise $200,” she said.
“The parents really got behind the fundraiser with some donating more than $100. We also had one staff member raise $270 by herself which is just outstanding.”
It wasn’t just the staff and parents who got behind the drive, either.
“The kids were all very excited about the fundraiser and even more so with the amount that was raised,” Ms Cherniayeff said.
“The kids all have a really good knowledge of how drought affects rural communities – a lot of them have friends and family that are directly affected and you only have to look in our playground to see how dry everything is.”
Ms Chernaiyeff added that she welled with pride upon seeing how eagerly the children took to the drive.
“It really does make you emotional, and also very proud,” she said.
The preschool also got some outside help from the Adamstown Community Early Learning and Preschool which came on board with a generous monetary donation as well as four carloads of personal items.
With the drought showing no signs of abating, Ms Cherniayeff said that there was a possibility of another fundraiser down the track.
“We are planning a mini fete in the next couple of months so we can definitely look at doing more fundraising if the need is still there,” she said.
Donations of cash, non-perishable food items and pet food can be dropped off at Goldmans Produce in Cessnock, Pokolbin General Store, Baileys of Greta, Melissa Mastin Stylz on Track in Paterson, and Kirkwood Produce Singleton and Rutherford.