Suicide Awareness

HOPE FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE

GRIFFITH Suicide Awareness brought some good cheer to those most in need in Leeton and Narrandera last week with funds raised from the Walk Away Your Worries fundraiser earlier in the year.
YvonneWade from Personal Employment in Leeton and Narandera and Narelle Weymouth from JPET delivered Christmas presents to people suffering from depression, the homeless and those without friends or family to share Christmas with.
President of Griffith Suicide Awareness, Val Rowe said many people do not have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas.
"For many of the people these would have been the only Christmas presents they will receive," Mrs Rowe said.
The team also delivered hampers to farming families who are suffering the effects of the drought.
Claire Wilson and Claudia Walker took part in the 20km walk aound Griffith to raise the $1000, which has now been put back into the Leeton community.
Mrs Rowe emphasised the redistribution of funds in the community fo those who raised it. "It's really important people realise that Claire and Claudia raised $1000 and that has gone straight back into Leeton," she said.
This is the fourth year Suicide Awareness has delivered Christmas presents to the wider district to bring a 'boost' to those less fortunate.

The Irrigator Leeton, Friday 21st December 2007. Stort by Emily Braham.

SHARING THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS will be a little brighter this year for members of the local community doing it tough. On Wednesday night at the Gemini, six local groups were presented gifts to distribute to needy clients, thanks to the Suicide Awareness Groups 2007 Christmas Tree - Our Youth Our Future Appeal.
More that 100 people from across the region will benefit from the annual appeal, including eight farming families, 24 individual children and 27 people who will receive food hampers.
Centacare personal support program manager Vickie Wigg gratefully accepted food hampers and gifts to distribute. "It's really difficult deciding who to choose to give the gifts," she said. "Some of these people are very isolated and alone and it is heartbreaking to see."
"This is usually the only gift they will get and it brings tears to your eyes to see how appreciative they are."
Gifts were donated to Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera JPET, Personnel Employment Griffith and Leeton, PFP Personal Support Program Griffith and Centacare.
Griffith Suicide Awareness president Val Rowe said the gifts, ranging from clothing and footwear to jewellery and household items, have been made possible thanks to donations from 75 companies all across Australia and local chemists.

The Area News, Friday 14th December 2007. Story by Tany Pattison.

XMAS TREE 07 REACHES OUT TO FAMILIES

Pictured is Ian Geddes, Val Rowe and Peter Gerard-Smith

OUR Youth Our Future 2007 Xmas tree helped to make Christmas for over 130 people and eight farming families, delivering individualised gifts and hampers to people who were on their own, people affected by mental illness and struggling farming families.

The youngest recipient was 15 years and the eldest, 62. Hundreds of hours were spent researching each individual, finding out their likes and dislikes and approaching over eighty companies across Australia to support the worthy cause.

Clothes, electrical goods, linen, shoes and jewellery topped the list of gifts with organisers touched by the feedback received. Six groups in the region were involved including Personel Employment in Leeton and Narrandera, personal Support Program in Griffith, JPET Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera and Centacare Griffith.

One of the organisers Val Rowe said she was moved by some letters of thanks she received.

"It made their Christmas and it's put perspective and hope back into their lives. It took a lot of the burden out of Christmas and made it a special day for everyone," said an emotional Val, "It's one of the most unbelievable feelings you could experience, just to see their faces light up - they couldn't believe anyone else would care about them."

Riverina Farmers Magazine, February 2008.

XMAS TREE DONATION

Val Rowe, Bob Fraser and Sandra Annetts

Griffith Suicide Awareness's Christmas tree 2007 was given a helping hand with a wonderful donation of $100 from the NSW Farmer's Association Coleambally Branch. The Coly NSW Farmer's Association branch received a cheque of $33 from the Northern Beaches Christian College for drought affected children in the area. The money arrived after Christmas so Bob and his local branch decided to contribute their own funds to make the amount up to $100 for Griffith Suicide Awareness to support the Christmas tree 2007. "It surprised me that children from the city thought of children in the country. It was a wonderful think for them to do," Bob said.

Riverina Farmer Magazine, June, 2007.

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Suicide Awareness .com Inc
PO Box 8039, Griffith
NSW 2680, Australia