As we get closer to Christmas, we are reminded that there are those in the community trying to make life better for others who may be struggling, and Bernie Browning is one of those people.
For the sixth year, Bernie is collecting items for the ‘It’s In The Bag’ project run by Share the Dignity, to support local women.
Helping the vulnerable
A new survey has revealed 39 per cent of Australian women are worried about affording Christmas presents. Australian charity Share the Dignity is seeing a steady increase in demand from their charity partners for their annual Christmas appeal – to ensure women and girls spending Christmas in domestic violence refuges, homeless shelters, or living in poverty, receive basic essentials and a gift of love and hope.
Last year Bernie collected four shopping trolleys full of gifted bags and she is hoping to increase that for Christmas 2023.
The idea is to get a new, reusable handbag or tote and fill it with things that women of all ages may use – it could be a bag of toiletries for a teenager, or a bag of baby items for a new mum, or even vouchers for treats like massages or movie tickets.
Bernie says she can remember when she and her husband were a young, struggling couple with small children and how difficult it was to afford life’s little luxuries.
Something special makes a difference
‘It was hard being a teen mum and not being able to have any of this stuff myself. I believe that now it’s my turn to give back to the people who need it.’
‘There are many women in this area who are desperate. They need something where they can feel the love that someone has put into a bag.’
Bernie says the bags will be distributed between Pottsville and Byron Bay through the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre and other similar networks.
Bags filled with essentials can be dropped off at LJ Hooker in Brunswick Heads during business hours, by November 22 and Bernie will deliver them to local charities to distribute.
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