Over the last three days or so the District teams has been working with the Rotary clubs in the areas impacted by the storm. Rotarians have been asking how they can help. Below are the suggested actions for clubs in D9810. Please read the suggestions carefully and decide on your club’s action.
Goods
Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service Inc is calling for donations of:
hand warmers,
long matches,
fire lighters,
charged power banks,
thermal socks,
big torches with batteries,
head lamps,
hurricane lamps, and
small long life milk.
Drop off to Belgrave Community Hub (1616-1624 Burwood Highway, Belgrave) between 8am until 8pm.
Cooked meals or other food donations. Check requirements with one of the following with the organisations listed in the Volunteers section, below.
Volunteers
To provide human resource volunteer service the following information is provided.
Turn up on Saturday or Sunday from 9.00 am at the Netball Courts Car Park at Pepi’s Land on Emerald- Beaconsfield Road, Emerald, (enter Pepi’s Land into Google maps). The Emerald CFA and SES are co-ordinating the activity. The volunteers will be assisting with clean-up on private properties, not operating chain-saws. Volunteers do not need to call in advance at this stage.
The following organisations are operating relief services and may welcome volunteers and/or donations. Please make contact to check requirements before taking action.
Monbulk Emergency Management Group
hot food, tea and coffee, charging facilities and heating.
6 Mahony St, Upwey. Contact Gerran Wright on 0419 560 051
Upwey Township Hall
Money
Immediate Needs
Rotary Clubs are giving out $50 vouchers for food or fuel. This activity is being supported through the Rotary District 9810 Emergency Relief Fund and through the club’s own financial resources. District Clubs wishing to support this immediate relief effort can contact the Presidents of RCs of Emerald, Belgrave, Monbulk or Healesville.
Or go to the RAWCS website and search for Rotary Dandenong Ranges Storm Recovery Fund
A disaster recovery appeal has been established at RAWCS. It will be open from now until the end of July. Pledges to the fund have already topped $10,000 and we would hope the total will go well into “6 figures”. The funds are earmarked for community recovery and development projects that become clear in the aftermath of the storm and will be delivered in the affected areas. The distribution of the donated funds will be administered by a District Committee currently being appointed by DG Alma and DGE Daryl.
Rotary Club Actions
If your club or club members wish to volunteer then please note the following:
Club Board needs to note the volunteer effort in its Board minutes as a club activity. Please do this, by e-resolution if necessary, before Rotarians head off to volunteer activity.
Please make sure that all Rotarians carrying out any activity for “Rotary Help for the Hills” is wearing Rotary gear – shirt, jacket, hat, hi-viz, etc.
If possible, have one volunteer take a few pics of Rotarians in action for posting on Facebook and websites.
Thank You
Thank you to the Rotary clubs and Rotarians of District 9810 for their willingness to assist in this time of need within our own District.