Mackay Community Charity fund announces $5k donations to be matched by mystery donor

Meet the elderly crafts group stitching ‘special’ quilts and beanies for a cause who are looking for someone to team up with for a donation — but who’s the mystery donor matching $5k pledges?

Mackay’s largest charity fund is hoping to drive new donations with a campaign backed by a mystery donor, promising to match every $5,000 donation with one of his own.

The Mackay Community Foundation was established by Alman Partners wealth management founder Scott Alman as an investment fund which raises money for Mackay charities in the form of grants.

The fund has gone on to accrue some $3.3m in investments and pays out approximately $190,000 in grants each year including Orange Sky Laundry, the Australian Street Aid Project and Mackay Women's Service.

Chair of the Mackay Community Foundation Frances Easton emphasised that the 21-year-old fund was about securing monetary support for the future of the Mackay community.

“We’ve been quiet achievers but we want to be loud and proud this year,” Mrs Easton said.

“Our mystery benefactor has been very supportive for a number of years and we’re ecstatic to get further generosity from them and give some momentum to the community.”

Carlyle Gardens Crafts Group is looking to partner up with someone to double their donation.

From their room, the group create beanies, blankets, bags and place mats for sale to raise money for charity. Photo: contributed

The women started gathering in the Carlyle Gardens retirement village with the intent to find a charity they could support each year and raise money by selling their crafts.

The Carlyle Gardens Crafts Group make quilts for sale or donation to local hospitals.

Group member Carolyn Rickert said her nice group of ladies have donated between $2,000 to $3,000 every year, as well as creating beanies, shawls, blankets and scarves to give to the homeless.

“We’ve been doing charity things forever,” Mrs Rickert said.

“We like to donate quilts to the hospitals around here, they raffle and raise a bit of money … our quilts are something else.”

Mary Worbey – the original mat maker with one of her mats that was still in use 2 years after it hit the streets. Photo: contributed.

The group donates their time to Orange Sky once a month to weave together durable and comfortable sleeping mats for the homeless.

Bessie Hayes making her first mat at the plarning sessions at the Dudley Denning Library (every 2nd Friday). Photo: contributed.

The Carlyle Gardens Crafts Group are searching for another individual or group to join with them in splitting a $5,000 donation.

“We’d rather keep a little bit extra to donate to bushfire and flood relief,” Mrs Rickert said.
“We’re hoping someone will go halves.”

The aim of the Mackay Community Foundation is to reach a total of $10m managed by the fund by 2040 which will result in $500,000 in grants given to the community each year.

“Our vision is for our community to keep the money local,” Mrs Easton said.

“We want to try and build a pool of funds for our community from generation to generation.”

You can donate to the Mackay Community Foundation here and if you’d like to buy Crafts from the Carlyle Garden Crafts Group, you can do so by calling Carlyle Gardens and asking for Carolyn Rickert.

Originally published as Mackay Community Charity fund announces $5k donations to be matched by mystery donor