I would make you understand,(Seal)
Today I had a day helping out my friend Carole, in the Brisbane Valley where floods swept through 5 weeks ago.
What can I say. I cried, I felt pain, I felt sorrow and if I could….I truly would. That is all I can say people who are still living as if their homes were hit last week by the floods.
Logistically there are systems being set up – at Fernvale there is a Flood Centre in the old IGA . There are clothes, electrical goods, bedding etc… all donated from wonderful people wanting to help. But many locals still don’t know about it.
In the short time that I was in Fernvale this is what I experienced (baring in mind this is only 90 mins from the Gold Coast, 30 KM from Ipswich, 60 km from Brisbane).
The old IGA is turned into a donation centre. Stacking clothes…
1. A Mum was there with her 3 year old helping unpack and restack goods. Apparently she doesn’t want to go home as it is too much to bare, she lost all and has 3 kids.
2. Another mum came in sheepishly asking for a doona as her and her husband have been living under a folded out sleeping bag for the last 5 weeks with no hot water, and really meek about asking for assistance.
3. Another woman came in, and said she was unaware of anything for her, let alone the gifted items at this centre, let alone the help at hand for her distressed horses. I was able to put her in touch with my amazing horse buddy Tracy of Equine Experience .
She now has some help to repair her horses, we have the vet coming out (a few animals in need) and I gave her all I had in my wallet $50. And to the beautiful lady in Byron who sold me the mascara on Sunday and said it won’t run. IT DOES!
Best of luck now, Melanie (oh yes, they were further flooded with storms last week and had their diesel pump stolen on the week-end).
4. Transported a couch to a single mum in Lowood who was definitely feeling the LOW in lowood. 4 kids , sleeping on the floor still, no furniture and what can I say. I wanted to help in so many more ways – just a 2 hour child relief for her. A 15 month old baby on her hip, little help, no car and it appeared “no hope”. I told her to hang in there for a few months, go into survival mode and come up for air. You can do it” BUT will that be enough for Kirsty?
Taking a couch to Kirsty for her family.
5. Dora the 4 yo who lost everything. Her mum Tracy, mother of 4, staying at a friends farm, was visiting the local hospital as one child has ??? fractured their arm. Dora – I hope you like your gift from Maisy xx
Maisy’s gift for Dora.
Dora getting her gift from Maisy. So cute!!
6. Ty at the local bakery, I hope your sister who is 8 months pregnant and has Legionaires is OK! And grandma with her gangrene – gee, I wish you the best.
What can I say. Things aren’t in the “state of Emergency” that occurred when the waters swept through 5 weeks ago, but I still sense a state of lost and survival going on.
I shall be back to help as and where I can. Stay strong!
PS Carol and Margaret at the collection centre are true GEMS. Nice to meet you ladies and thanks Tere for coming up and helping out again.
