COVID-19 Stay At Home orders and lockdowns have cruelled a number of events over the past year - another is next week's planned Legacy Badge Week.
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It's a time (August 29 - September 4) when Legacy's volunteers are out selling badges, uniformed bears and other Legacy merchandise, to raise much needed funds to continue its wonderful work in supporting the widows, widowers and children whose loved ones have served our country.
Unfortunately COVID restrictions have seen an end to the usual face-to-face selling, often usually at many local supermarkets and other outlets. But you can still support Legacy via a newly developed online portal, which includes a special QR Code facility.
"Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in NSW, the lockdowns, restrictions, and the safety and health of our volunteers, beneficiaries and the general community, we have again been forced to cancel all face-to-face Legacy Badge Week fundraising initiatives," said Nowra Legacy chairman Allan Nolan.
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"It is extremely disappointing for our many wonderful volunteers who do such a great job each year raising these vital funds for Legacy.
"Certainly, we are disappointed we can't be out selling our badges as usual, but this is what we have to do this year."
We [Legacy] receives no government funding. All our funds are raised in the local communities by our volunteers [Legatees] and spent locally supporting our veteran's families and maintaining our various welfare programs.
- Nowra Legacy chairman Allan Nolan
Nowra Legacy volunteers, who cover the area from Berry in the north to Sussex Inlet in the south, are a well-known force and each Legacy Badge Week are usually out selling badges and bears at various local supermarkets across the city and particularly in the Nowra, and Bomaderry and now Worrigee areas.
More than 50 local volunteers, including local Defence Force members, were ready to again hit the streets this year selling badges and raising money for the organisation.
Wollongong and South Coast Legacy, which includes Nowra, currently looks after more than 1000 veterans' families, providing services such as social and financial assistance, home visits, day trips, education support, holiday camps for Legacy Youth.
"Although our work has never been more vital - providing support and services for some of the most vulnerable in the community - the resurgence of COVID-19 has meant we have had to make difficult decisions," Mr Nolan said.
"We [Legacy] receives no government funding. All our funds are raised in the local communities by our volunteers [Legatees] and spent locally supporting our veteran's families and maintaining our various welfare programs.
"We are working to navigate a very different Legacy Week to years gone by but we will still be taking donations.
"And when donating funds you can nominate your postcode and the funds you donate will come back to your local area or the postcode you nominate."
This year's focus is on Little Badge: Big Impact - the notion that even the smallest of donations will have a real and heartwarming impact on our veterans' families.
Wollongong and South Coast Legacy, which includes Nowra, currently looks after more than 1000 veterans' families, providing services such as social and financial assistance, home visits, day trips, education support, holiday camps for Legacy Youth. Our work has never been more vital.
- Nowra Legacy chairman Allan Nolan
"It might only be a little badge but it can make a big impact," Mr Nolan said.
"The Legacy badge is a special emblem of support for our veterans' families, symbolising our nation's greatest values of mateship, compassion and courage.
"Your support can do so much to help a veterans' family.
"We operate by donations and bequeaths - selling badges, merchandise and bears is a large part of our fundraising efforts, which is why it is so important."
The Legacy badge is a special emblem of support for our veterans' families, symbolising our nation's greatest values of mateship, compassion and courage. Your support can do so much to help a veterans' family.
- Nowra Legacy chairman Allan Nolan
The Legacy Week appeal has been running since the 1940s with the Legacy organisation itself to mark its centenary in 2023.
You can support Nowra Legacy Group by purchasing merchandise, donating or finding out more about Legacy, by contacting Legacy House, 66 Bridge Street, Nowra, phone 02 4423 1795 or email nowralegacy@bigpond.com
Donations can be made directly to its Welfare Account: BSB 032 695. Account No. 13 1213 or through the Legacy Donation Portal: www.legacyweek.com.au
Donation Line: Call 1800 LEGACY (534 229) Merchandise: www.legacyshop.com.au. A QR Code Donation is also available which will take you to the www.legacy.com.au/donate/.
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