Shoppers raise $2500 for Murray Bridge community groups

Cheques have been presented to the Salvation Army, a Lions Club and a community centre following a promotion by Murray Bridge Marketplace.

Shoppers raise $2500 for Murray Bridge community groups
Tim Freund, Ian Crane and Shelley Rose accept donations from Murray Bridge Marketplace's Paula Creasey and Nat Jeffery last Thursday. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

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Folks doing it tough in the Murraylands will benefit from more than $2500 worth of donations made by shoppers at a local retail complex in the lead-up to Christmas.

Last Thursday, Murray Bridge Marketplace manager Paula Creasey presented cheques to the three local organisations to benefit from its Sweeten the Season promotion: the Salvation Army, the Murray Bridge Lions Club and Murray Bridge Community Centre.

Anyone who spent $10 at the shopping centre from December 9-15 last year was able to claim a scratch card which would either give them an instant-win prize or a donation to the organisation of their choice.

Both the community centre and the Salvos planned to use their takings – $997 and $801, respectively – to support people in need in Murray Bridge.

The community centre provides free food at its Beatty Terrace location, while the Salvos offer food, counselling and other support services to locals who are underprivileged or experiencing homelessness.

Many locals were doing it tough, the community centre’s Shelley Rose said: “We’re seeing a high number of people (seeking help) at the centre.”

She hoped people’s donations would make a real difference.

“Nearly $1000 is a huge amount of money,” she said.

The Salvation Army’s Tim Freund said he was grateful for the donations, too: “It’s a great way to reinforce the positive engagement we have with our community.”

Lion Ian Crane wasn’t sure yet what his club would spend its funds on – perhaps training that would help people respond to domestic violence.

Ms Creasey said the Sweeten the Season promotion had raised around $50,000 across 24 participating shopping centres in its first year.

Disclosure: The author is the chair of Murray Bridge Community Centre’s board.

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