Eastern Emergency Relief Network is asking for toy donations to help its Christmas appeal

CHRISTMAS is the season to be giving, and the Eastern Emergency Relief Network is asking the eastern suburbs community to dig deep and help those less fortunate.

Keith Rooney in the Eastern Emergency Relief Network warehouse in Mitcham. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

CHRISTMAS is the season to be giving, and with that in mind the Eastern Emergency Relief Network is asking the Whitehorse community to dig deep and help those less fortunate.

The Eastern Emergency Relief Network (EERN for short) was founded by Blackburn local Keith Rooney, OAM, 21 years ago.

Mr Rooney wanted to help those who could not afford household goods like furniture and whitegoods, and established the EERN as a point of collection for donations.

The EERN would then distribute the donated items to welfare agencies which could best direct where the donations would be best used.

Over the years 40,000 families and individuals have benefited, with the EERN supporting 145 different charitable organisations across Whitehorse, Boroondara, Monash, Manningham, Knox and Maroondah.

With Christmas time fast approaching the EERN is now asking for the community to dig deep and donate for those in need.

“We’re after new Christmas presents for children, as well as items for all the mums out there as well — why should they miss out?” Mr Rooney said.

“We’re hoping to fill over 300 hampers of food as well which will be passed onto charities which will ensure they get to those in need.

“We want everyone to have the Christmas they deserve, and not miss out just because they can’t afford it.”

The EERN doesn’t just help out those who are struggling financially; as its name suggests it also helps people needing emergency relief after natural disasters.

“When there have been bushfires in the past we’ve always tried to help out,” Mr Rooney said.

“One time they were evacuating Toolangi so I drove a truck full of mattresses up to the relief centres for people to sleep on.

“Another time we took 14 refrigerators to Ballarat to help out a relief centre set up there.”

Mr Rooney is also hopeful of getting another imitative off the ground.

“I’d love to have a dozen laptop computers made available to residents at Coronella retirement Village,” Mr Rooney said.

“Having portable computers will help residents stay in close contact with family over email and social media.

“It’s a program I think could be rolled out everywhere,” he said.

Eastern Emergency Relief Network Christmas donations can be made at the Whitehorse Council or at the EERN warehouse between 9am-1pm, Monday to Friday, at 10-12 Thornton Crescent, Mitcham.

For more information call 9874 8433 or visit easternemergency.org.au