CHILDREN IN CRISIS
I am a member of the Society of Women Writers, we are currently in the process of establishing a Children's book appeal to support Kids who are victims of the Queensland Floods. Here is a letter I received today.
Children’s Books Flood Appeal
Books for Children in Crisis project – A BIG Book Drive
The children of the flood are constantly in our thoughts. There are many right now who have lost all their favourite things, who are too young to understand how their world has been turned upside down, why mummy and daddy are crying, and where their little dog has gone.
Remember the books that took you away from everyday troubles when you were a child? Since we were small we have all gained a great deal of enjoyment, inspiration and relaxation through books. Reading (or in the case of a young child, being read to) transports us to a place where the anxieties and the stresses that surround us can be pushed into the background for a time.
Unfortunately books are also one of the most common casualties of flooding. Providing children with books right now might be one of the most healing things we can do.
The Books for Children in Crisis project aims to collect as many children’s books as possible and send them in bundles to community organisations in the flood affected areas of regional Queensland, Brisbane and Ipswich, to be distributed to children of families that have lost homes and possessions in the recent floods.
Collection centres are currently being established in various centres across Queensland and arrangements for book distribution by local community groups in the targeted areas are under way.
This project is not about short-term or immediate help; it is about looking ahead to recovery. For many families affected by the floods, available household finances will need to be directed towards essential items only for some time to come. And through necessity books are not likely to be high on the priority list.
Yes, this is just a very small thing to do … but if a book can help bring a smile to the face of a child who has lost almost everything, then it will be worth it.
Judy Bandidt
18 January, 2011
Contact person and Sunshine Coast Collection Centre:
Judy Bandidt
199 Shurvell Road
Hunchy
Palmwoods QLD 4555
Postal address:
Judy Bandidt
P O Box 453
PALMWOODS QLD 4555
Contact details:
judy.bandidt@gmail.com
07 5478 5702
0427 745 579
Brisbane Collection centre:
Sue Wagner
24 Marney Street
Chapel Hill QLD 4069
Contact details:
wagnersue217@gmail.com
07 3378 8434
0412 145 644
Gympie Collection Centre
(to be confirmed)
I will post more details as they come available
