- Latest News
COMMUNITY EFFORT: Sarah Cobb from Centacare Catholic Country SA, Natalie Williams and Sue Clements from the library, Angelka DelGiacco and Michele Wachla from Centacare Catholic Country SA with just some of the 200 donated books.
Friday, October 25, 2019
The Rotary Club of Whyalla Norrie, our library and a retiring staff member have come together to create a great story of community care and involvement.
Whyalla’s Centacare Catholic Country SA operation recently approached the Rotary Club of Whyalla Norrie for assistance in raising money to purchase some books to put in their waiting area and for the children in foster care that just don’t have the funds to buy books to have at home.
As president of the Rotary club, library staff member Sue Clements took up the cause in a heartbeat. She approached the management team of the Council-run facility about the situation and it was just as quick to lend a hand.
Library One Workforce Project Officer Natalie Williams said the Centacare request was a perfect opportunity to help out a community-based organisation with the help of a community group like Rotary.
“As we cull our collection of books, due to age, duplicate copies and donations received by the library are normally placed on a book case in the library for the children to take home for free,” Natalie said.
“To help out Centacare, we decided to hold some of these books back for a couple of months and donate them as a big bundle for the Centacare foster families.
“It was a pleasure for the library to help out and this is so typical of Sue’s community spirit.
“Sue is retiring from the library this week after 35 years and this is the sort of wonderful thing she has been doing for so long here at work and in the community.
“I’m sure we aren’t the only ones that wish Sue a wonderful retirement and what a wonderful parting gesture from a much-loved member of our team.”
The library held an official handover of the items this week with more than 200 books gifted to Centacare to give to the children.
“Centacare appreciates the amazing generosity that provides such a great impact and supports the children and families in our community," Michele Wachla from Centacare Catholic Country SA said.
Centacare’s Whyalla Alternative Care program currently has 34 households near capacity. Within the quarter of July to September 2019 only six emergency placements could occur due to a shortage of carers. Centacare appreciates each and every carer for opening their homes and hearts to children in care and are seeking more local carers for local children.
If you would like to enquire about foster care, please feel free to contact Angelka DelGiacco or Sarah Cobb at Centacare Catholic Country SA on 8645 8233.