‘Without the support of our community we wouldn’t be able to achieve all the things we’ve been able to do’: Women’s shelter thanks community for support

ALICE SPRINGS’ women’s shelter had been struggling to get donations in the lead-up to Christmas

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A GROUP of Territorians have rallied together to support an Alice Springs women’s shelter which had received barely any donations in the lead-up to Christmas.

Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia chief executive Larissa Ellis said donations were so scarce “we were about to go out and buy everything ourselves”.

“We were struggling. Generally we would get hampers or donations of toys for kids,” she said.

“Christmas is a fairly miserable time for women in a shelter. So we do try to give them some form of pleasurable experience.

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“But this year we didn’t get donations from the usual donors, I think because it’s been a pretty difficult year for everybody.

“So we put a call out on our Facebook page for donations. We were quite worried until about Tuesday but then the donations started coming in.”

One donation was arranged by local woman Jess Kragh, who saw the call-out reposted in a Facebook buy-swap-sell group for clothing.

“I suggested we put some money together because so many members of the group were already out of town for Christmas and couldn’t pull their second-hand stuff together at such short notice,” Ms Kragh said.

The gift bags donated to the women and children at the shelter.

On December 18, Ms Kragh and a group of about 20 others in this group raised $520.

“We found out there were approximately 12 women and 7 children (at the shelter) and made up little gift packs, all including a $20 Kmart voucher to spend at their own discretion.”

The gift packs included toys and chocolates for the kids. For the women, lotions and personal care items.

Ms Kragh didn’t get to personally hand over the gift bags to the women and children, but a staff member told her they were overjoyed.

“They were so grateful and one of the women was in tears. They were so happy to receive something for Christmas,” Ms Kragh said.

Share the Dignity and the Starlight Foundation also made generous donations to the shelter.

Ms Ellis said she is extremely grateful for the way the community has rallied around women and children in need.

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“We work in a very difficult and challenging area and without the support of our community we wouldn’t be able to achieve all the things we’ve been able to do.”

Personal donations for the women and children can be made directly at the shelter on Telegraph Terrace.

For those looking for ideas, shoes and thongs are always appreciated, as are new bras and underwear.

You can also donate money.

“We don’t use donated funds for any operational purposes. It’s all focused on client activities — pool passes, movie tickets, that kind of thing,” said Ms Ellis.