We often hear about the great deeds of the Port's many charitable and not-for-profit organisations providing food and health support services to the disadvantaged, the lonely and those who have fallen on hard times.
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A group in Raymond Terrace has gone one step further by supplying essential household items and furniture to the needy.
Furniture Bank, a project of the Raymond Terrace Rotary Club, was established four years ago by a bunch of volunteers after discussions with deputy chair of Awabakal and co-founder of the Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation, Di Ball OAM.
John Chambers, the group's community service director, said that while the concept had begun with a 'closing the gap' focus, the bank had developed into a whole of community approach.
"We get referrals from a number of organisations and we work in collaboration with groups such as Friends of Dignity, Better Than the Floor, Wahroonga and Karuah corporations, Raymond Terrace Lions, Men's Shed, LJ Hooker, PCYC, Hume Housing and local parliamentarians Kate Washington (state) and Meryl Swanson (federal)."
Some of the items they distribute include beds and mattresses, fridges, washing machines, lounge and dining settings, coffee tables, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery,
"Originally much of the furniture came from Rotary members downsizing and from deceased estates, but as the word got around they began coming from a variety of places. We have a shipping container full of furniture and our issue now is finding more space as well as items."
Hume Community Housing is just one of the recipients of the volunteer group's good deeds.
"We are most grateful to John and his volunteers who support our families by furnishing homes, and supplying homewares and white goods," said Hume's cohesion officer, Katherine McLean.
"We found Furniture Bank when it began managing social housing customers in the area. John is well known locally mainly for going above and beyond to find things people need to make life more comfortable and bearable."
Ms McLean told of the great help John had recently provided a Hume customer.
"One of our customers had lost many things during a break and enter and John organised beds for the family of seven. He also offered to help supply more furniture."
Since retiring, John Chambers says he seems to be working as hard as ever, putting in at least 40 hours a week of volunteering, of which many Raymond Terrace organisations such as Hume are truly thankful.
