The generosity of strangers has astounded Tenterfield Lions Club's Lisa Dalton, who was the on-ground liaison for an effort that saw a truckload of hampers distributed to local families on the weekend.
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The hampers, each valued at hundreds of dollars (one alone included a $400 Why Leave Town gift card, along with its many other contents), were all supplied by families associated with Coasties Drought Aid.
The Coasties Facebook group was set up a couple of years ago by Melissa Turner, "a modern day Santa Claus", according to Lisa. Back then it had a couple of hundred members sending hampers directly to families well out west.
Now it has more than 4000 members keen to make hampers for families in need.
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It had Tenterfield in its sights, given the ongoing drought and recent fires, and Lisa was approached by project coordinator Soozee Coleman to supply a list of deserving families who might appreciate a helping hand.
Lisa shared the list-compiling process with the Salvation Army, Landcare, Mingoola's Julia Harpham and the Anglican Church, and some 107 families were submitted along with details of kids and their ages as well as pets and livestock.
Coasties were each assigned families for which they would build an appropriate hamper, and Lisa said she fielded many inquiries from Coasties keen to ensure they had just the right items for their assigned family.
Lisa said this wasn't a clean-out-your-pantry effort. Items were newly-purchased, with long use-by dates.
Saturday was delivery day, with Gavin Hayman getting clearance from his StarTrack boss to use the truck (with StarTrack donating the fuel) and setting off from Gosford at 3am with son Jack.
Coasties Diane Menzies and Paulette Marie of Gosford/Kariong Football Club also made their way to town to help distribute the hampers, arriving at the Salvation Army Hall at lunchtime where an army of volunteers were ready to help.
Lisa thought the hall would hold them easily, but the truck was full and the boxes overflowed into the foyer. The delivery included piles of toilet paper and clothes in good condition that had all been carefully washed, folded and labelled.
Hampers were also dropped off at places like the Tenterfield Fire Station.
Including the aforementioned Why Leave Town card, other cards and vouchers from local stores amounted to more than $4000, all purchased remotely by Coasties and included in the hampers.
The hamper for a Mingoola family of eight was assigned to a Coasties preschool, and amounted to more than 10 crates and included Christmas cards and messages, and even a cushion embroidered with the word 'family' and the names of the six children.
Lisa said many of the hampers included a photo of the Coastie family and contact details if the recipient wished to get in touch, and Lisa hopes that many will.
"These people, what they have done...", she said, lost for words, "and they're talking about doing it again next year."
She said some of the receiving families just couldn't comprehend the generosity of these strangers and what they have given to the Tenterfield community.
And Tenterfield was just one stop along the way, with Mendooran, Tooraweenah, Nymboida, Baradine, Leadville, Gilgandra, Coolah, Coonabaraban, Narromine and Coonamble also getting the Coastie treatment.
"And they're struggling with their own fires down there," Lisa said.
PS. Here's a ditty penned by 'Modern Day Santa Claus' Melissa Turner about preparing for a distribution run...
''Twas the night before Drought Aid,
And all through the house,
One Coastie was tiptoeing around like a mouse.
Trailers were packed up,
Cars filled with fuel,
No room left for goodies
And boy, they looked cool!
The day had been tiring,
But no one complained,
There were others worse off
Who refused to show pain.
Utes full of groceries,
Cars bearing presents
Water and pet food both made a presence.
Long journey ahead,
North, South and West
To meet country cousins,
Who aren't at their best.
We bring Xmas cheer,
Hope, love and joy
Along with some special things
Maybe even a toy
Nice hot shower,
Midnight dinner for one
Knowing tomorrow will be lots of fun !
No trouble sleeping , the body is spent,
So it's off to dream land , my spirit went.
With our signs at the ready
Snacks, water and hats,
I wish you Gods speed
Hope we will meet for a chat.
