Foster families around the region are set for a much needed boost as the SJD Foundation looks to deliver care packages filled with everyday essentials.
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SJD Foundation Director Brayden Dorney told The Courier foster families can often be forgotten in the madness of coronavirus, however he and the foundation are looking to do their part to lend a helping hand.
"We are in the process of getting together care packages for families in need around Ballarat," he said.
"There are 72 families at Children and Family Services (CAFS)... a lot of those families have potentially lost their primary wage earners.
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"These families have taken in children out of the goodness of their heart and those families can at times be forgotten.
"We felt compelled to help, so we reached out and have been able to source a lot of those necessities and have put together these care packages for all 72 families."
Fundraising for the initiative received a major boost after Jake Warren, a Theatre Technician at Ballarat Base Hospital and president of the Ballarat Beard and Mustache Union raised close to $4000 in the process of shaving his beard of six years.
Mr Dorney, also a member of the BBMU, said he was shocked to see Mr Warren after the transformation and praised his generosity.
"It was pretty amazing to see," Mr Dorney said.
"I sympathise with him, his chin must be really struggling in the cold breeze," he laughed.
When looking at the importance of the initiative, Mr Dorney said like everyone, foster families are going through a difficult period with children out of school and Easter approaching.
"Any way we can take some of the stress of parents that are trying to bring some joy into these children's lives is critical.
"One of the things we've tried to include along with those essential items are some Easter eggs, so that when Easter rolls around these kids don't have to miss out or wonder why the Easter Bunny didn't come."
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