Ministries > ADRA Projects

2007 OPERATION SPRING BOOST

Springboost to Needy Farmers in Autumn

April saw a huge pile of Pamper Packs loaded onto a Narromine-bound truck at the Conference Office at Epping. Last December 46 Pamper Packs were generously provided by members of our churches to help drought affected areas of NSW. However our Autumn follow-up effort has been amazing. Sixty-seven Pamper Packs were donated for drought affected farmers and their families.

The Pamper Packs contained special items that are unlikely to be on the shopping list of farmers who are watching their impoverished budgets. Packs included luxury foods, perfume, shampoos, toothpaste and other toiletries. In addition to $150 of shopping vouchers, $3,221 was also sent out with the packs at the end of April. It is planned that these funds will assist in paying electricity bills for affected farmers.

Special mention needs to be given to our church on Norfolk Island. Although the church on Norfolk has a modest membership, they donated $860 to assist the farmers. As this is the third Springboost Operation in the current drought, many thank-you cards and letters have come in to the Conference office. Some excerpts from grateful farmers follow:
“Please accept and pass on our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the Operation Springboost hampers. The thoughtfulness and generosity of your congregations and others certainly did “boost” our spirits at this stressful time. God bless all those who care.”

“Thank-you sincerely for your hamper. It was like Xmas; what a thrill and the products are so useful. It is encouraging to think others do care …..”
“Thank-you for the voucher … I bought the girls some things they don’t normally get, eat or drink.”
Brigitte Perik, Ashfield church member, who initiated Springboost said, “I am always impressed by the generosity of people and I am also pleased that a system is established and operating well.” Brigitte would also like to thank ADRA for providing transport and the Women’s Ministry network for their support.

Kyle Robertson from Narromine Church faces the daunting task of arranging delivery of the Pamper Packs to farmers. When asked about the drought Kyle observed, “Although many areas have now had some rain and the landscape promises patches of green there has been no run-off and dams are still dry. Unfortunately weeds are the first plants to respond when showers fall. Follow-up rain is now needed urgently across Western NSW to remedy a desperate situation.”

Photo (L-R) Stephanie Lorens, Malcolm Rea & Brigitte Perik