Thieves steal Christmas joy from local charity
10th December 2018
UPDATE: Just an update on the Southlakes Marketplace theft. Thanks to everyone who has jumped in early to help out. The response has been fantastic and you've had Christine and all the volunteers in tears! Christine has confirmed that cash donations can be made directly to the charity (bank details below). I've covered the $500 in cash that was stolen, but supermarket vouchers and toys for kids are needed to replace the $3000 worth which was taken. Volunteers can use the vouchers andcash to buy new toys at the weekend. Several hundred hampers had been delivered just before the theft, but food is needed for another 50. So, you can drop vouchers, toys or food in to my Toronto electorate office by Friday, or call the centre on 0432 580 059 and a volunteer will come out to you and collect the donation. My thanks again.????????
Account name: Southlakes Marketplace
Greater Bank BSB: 637 000
Account number: 719989977
PREVIOUS NEWS:
Thieves have hit Southlakes Marketplace at Cooranbong stealing Christmas hampers and toys meant for some of our community’s most needy.
Along with most others I’m angry and appalled but I can’t begin to understand how those hard working volunteers feel.
I’m hoping we can pull together as a community to help out before the intended delivery date next Tuesday.
I’ve pledged $500 towards new toys and food but we’ll need more.
If you can spare anything - new toys or non-perishable food items - please drop it into my Toronto electorate office by Friday and I’ll make sure Christine gets it.
Here's how David Stewart at The Lakes Mail reported the theft:
CHRISTMAS food hampers and toys meant for needy Westlakes families have allegedly been stolen from the Southlake Marketplace rooms at Cooranbong Community Centre.
Christine Mastello of Southlake Marketplace said thieves forced entry to the centre some time between Friday night and Sunday morning.
“We’d got everything ready to distribute the hampers and toys at our Christmas function next Tuesday, December 18,” Ms Mastello said.
“The toys were meant for the families of children from Toronto to Freemans Waterhole… families who are finding it hard to afford toys.”
Some 200 food hampers and 60 toys for all age groups were taken along with $500 in cash.
“The Avondale College Church has already replaced the cash for us,” Ms Mastello said.
It’s estimated that donated toys to the value of $2400 were stolen from the building.
The group is now urgently seeking toys, or $20 gift vouchers for toys, to present to needy families at the function on Tuesday.
Ms Mastello said it was the second time Southlake Marketplace had been robbed this year.
“We were robbed in July, too. So we’re now spending a fortune to upgrade our security,” she said.
It appeared that in the recent break-in, thieves jimmied open the front door, she said.
Police forensic experts went over the building on Sunday.
Police investigations are continuing.
In January, Southlake Marketplace won the Contribution to Lake Macquarie Award at Lake Macquarie City Council’s Australia Day Awards.
The council noted the organisation supplied 4000 affordable meals each week to residents in the area.
“The work of Southlake Marketplace has made a significant impact to the people who struggle to pay for life’s daily essential needs,” mayor Kay Fraser said.
“Their effort in growing the service and making an impact is nothing short of inspirational.”