Community celebrates random acts of kindness on DoSomethingDay

“IF YOU do a good deed for someone, it’ll come back and help you at a time when you least expect it.”

Foodbank warehouse, Glendenning, volunteers Luhama Palu and Bruce Riddell.

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“IF YOU do a good deed for someone, it’ll come back and help you at a time when you least expect it.”

That was the wise advice from Mt Druitt born and bred footy player Mark Geyer, as the Mt Druitt and St Marys community embraced DoSomethingDay today.

The inaugural event, launched by NewsLocal and the DoSomething charity, celebrated volunteering and random acts of kindness.

Mark 'MG' Geyer supporting DoSomethingDay. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Mark Geyer lives out the DoSomethingDay philosophy ever day. Here, he supports Oxley Park Public School's White Ribbon day late last year

The community was encouraged to do something positive in their neighbourhood – from holding open a door for someone, buying a coffee for a colleague to phone an old friend and see how there were going.

Mt Druitt Chamber of Commerce president and local real estate agent Reg Murray said he tried to incorporate some kindness into every day.

“I walk down the street and say hello to everyone and ask how they are going,” Mr Murray said. “It doesn’t cost anything to put a smile on someone’s face.”

Volunteers are the backbone of the Mt Druitt and St Marys community, and DoSomethingDay found most doing what they do every day – supporting the wider community.

The Learning Ground in Bidwill, helps young people engage in their community, by developing skills and communication.

Westfields Mt Druitt Salvation Army store manager Richard Ebsworth has worked with the organisation for 20 years.

“It’s good to help out and get the warm and fuzzy feeling when you’ve done something good for someone else,” Mr Ebsworth said.

“All of the volunteers here are really good; they’ll go the extra mile for people and make sure they are helped.”

Colleague Margaret Harris, of Minchinbury, started volunteering at the Salvos after she received assistance.

“I picked the Salvation Army to volunteer at because they helped me when I was by myself trying to look after my three kids,” Ms Harris said.

“I was really struggling and I didn’t even have a wardrobe or a washing machine.

“The Salvos came and gave me a big machine and cupboard. Before that I was spending most of my day hand washing the kids’ clothes.”

Ms Harris encouraged everyone to consider volunteering.

“Rewarding? It really is,” she said.