After record rainfall drenched New South Wales and the Hawkesbury River region experienced its worst flooding since 1961, Windsor Seventh-day Adventist Church members knew they had to help their neighbours. Aided by Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), the church partnered with local stores Good360 and BIG W on 12 May to distribute goods to community members affected by the flood and experiencing difficulty.
Church members distributed 400 letters to affected houses inviting residents. But while 90% of recipients were from flood-affected streets, not only flood survivors benefitted. Anyone who needed a hand up was welcomed and treated with respect and dignity.
Bruce, a 91-year-old Windsor church member has lived in the area for five years. “Never seen anything like it,” he says. “We were taken out of the place by boat… There was so much uncertainty. We came back to look seven days later and about two feet of water had gone through the house. The deep freeze had been tipped over; books, clothes all soaked. [We] kept saying, ‘What are we gonna do?’” Along with supplies, church members also helped Bruce and his family clean destroyed items out their home. “Thank you for help!” he says.
Chloe, a pregnant young mum, also got assistance. “It’s kind of beautiful, you know, when charities are there to help people when everything falls apart,” she says. An ADRA volunteer there to assess the situation offered a hand and hope. “He was really good,” she recalls. “He prayed with me.”
Another beneficiary thanked the team for providing clothes for their young children. “It was fantastic,” they said. “Thank you kindly for everything. I’m so grateful to you.”
Organizers say church members were happy to get involved. Lara, Disaster Ready Church Coordinator of Warrimoo Adventist church says, “It wasn’t hard [to get volunteers] at all. Quite a number of church members were keen to help.” Among other duties, her team packaged chips and baked muffins and cupcakes for morning and afternoon tea.
Robyn, a Windsor church distribution volunteer is glad she was able to help others. “It was very enlightening for me,” she says. “[Recipients] appreciated getting brand new stuff. Made them think, ‘Someone really cares!’ It was a very good outreach.”
