Donations help shelter for women and children
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More than $1600 in donations collected during the most recent free green waste disposal and free mulch giveaway will support local women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Acting Mayor Terry James today presented $1,665 in donations to Ruth’s Women’s Shelter.
“Since being established more than 40 years ago, this organisation has assisted countless women and children escaping the perils of domestic and family violence,” Cr James said.
“Ruth’s Women’s Shelter provides women and children with safe and secure accommodation, as well as guidance and support in a respectful environment where their privacy is assured.
“We are pleased to be able to make this donation on behalf of residents to this important community service.”
A not-for-profit organisation, Ruth’s Women’s Shelter was established in 1977, initially in a home at Earlville and later in a highset Queenslander in Cairns North.
Today, the purpose-built shelter has six individual rooms to house six families with common areas, such as kitchens, lounge rooms, and children play areas.
Ruth’s Women’s Shelter Manager Lynelle Dabelstein thanked the community for its ongoing support.
“Although we are funded by the government, these donations from the community assist us delivery those extra services that we otherwise couldn’t provide,” Ms Dabelstein said.
“Such as setting women up in their new homes with furniture and household good.”
The voluntary donations were collected at the gate of each of Cairns Regional Council’s waste transfer stations during the free green waste drop-off from 30 March to 7 April and mulch giveaway in May.
A different local charity is selected to benefit from each of the bi-annual free green waste/mulch periods.
Smithfield waste transfer station topped the donation tally with $391.80 dropped into the tin. Babinda produced the highest rate of donations per person, with $38 donated in 14 visits to the transfer station. The next free green waste drop-off will be from 12-20 October, 2019.