Cootamundra's community-owned nursing home Adina Care (formerly the Cootamundra Nursing Home) relies on the support of community members to fund 'the little extras' which allow the facility to feel like home for residents.
A small but dedicated group of women, all aged in their 70s and 80s, form the Adina Care Auxiliary.
For as long as the home has existed in Cootamundra, these women have been spotted in the main street, no matter the weather, selling raffle tickets. They have baked countless cakes and slices to be sold from street stalls.
These small actions have added up to big dollars with thousands of dollars in new equipment purchased for the home.
The Auxiliary also funds gifts for residents on Mother's Day, Father's Day and other occasions - something special for those in the home.
Recently they paid for a refurbishment of the dining room and purchased a battery-operated wheelchair needed by staff to make their jobs easier.
It is not only the residents who benefit from the purchases made by the fundraising from the Auxiliary, staff also benefit.
This year, Covid19 put an immediate stop to the Auxiliary's main avenue of fundraising - street stalls and raffle tickets.
Auxiliary president Carolyn Buchanan is confident with the easing number of Covid cases in Australia, in particular the lack of cases in our local area, the inability to perform these fundraising tasks won't last into next year.
They have, however taken a financial hit this year with no fundraising having been possible since March.
"Luckily we didn't overspend in the good times so we have a little in reserve for these more difficult times," Ms Buchanan said.
She added however that with no income coming in and expenditures still occurring, the Auxiliary needed to find other ways of fundraising.
They have had many generous donations over the years from families who have had loved ones residing in the facility and Ms Buchanan is hopeful that during this most difficult of times people will still be able to open their hearts and wallets and make a donation if they can to see the auxiliary through until next year.
The Cootamundra Ex-Services Club has jumped on board to support the group with a charity bingo night to be held in their honour next Saturday evening.
Ms Buchanan said the Auxiliary is also planning to hold their regular hamper raffle in the lead-up to Christmas, however the sale of tickets will have to be different this year.
Ticket sales will commence from October.
If the Cootamundra Development Corporation is able to go ahead with its community Christmas party in the weeks prior to Christmas, Ms Buchanan is hopeful the auxiliary may be able to host a street stall as per their tradition - however like so much happening in our community, this is Covid-dependent.
Such was the turmoil Covid19 threw the auxiliary into, they were not able to hold a meeting between March and August when they held their AGM.
This was due to no visitors, including Auxiliary members being allowed into Adina Care.
This restriction has relaxed and some visitors are being allowed into the home, however Ms Buchanan said she and the other members wish to leave these precious time slots for family members of residents, rather than themselves.
"We enjoy what we do fundraising; the nursing home means something to each one of us (auxiliary members) as we have all had a loved one in there," Ms Buchanan said.
It was her mother who was a resident of the home and Ms Buchanan recalls her mother was absolutely certain she did not want to go into a nursing home. Her tune absolutely turned around 180 degrees once she was a resident and Ms Buchanan said the attention received by the staff meant her mother's experience as a resident was the best type of experience she could have hoped for.
If anyone wishes to make a donation they can contact Ms Buchanan on 6942 7257 for bank details. Alternatively donations can be left for the attention of Adina Care Auxiliary at the front desk of the home. Receipts are available.
Ms Buchanan is also very happy to hear from any residents with fundraising ideas that can be conducted in a CovidSafe environment or on behalf of the auxiliary.
