By Tate Papworth
A dedicated group of volunteers is giving patients at Sunshine Hospital one less thing to worry about.
For the past six years the team at the Deer Park Lions Club have been making care packages for hospital patients.
Sunshine Health nursing and midwifery director Wendy Watson said the gesture goes a long way.
“The group collate, create and distribute bags of toiletries known as ‘care packages’ to help patients maintain their dignity with their sanitary and self-care needs,” she said.
“With the rising costs of living making family budgets tighter than ever, these packages can be vital for patients in need.”
The hand-sewn, reusable cotton bags contain shampoo, conditioner, soap, tissues, deodorant and a few extras to help out with essential self-care.
The team puts together about 800 packs annually and is aiming to have 400 delivered in time for Christmas.
Karen Fry of the Deer Park Lions Club said that hygiene items should be a right not a privilege, but costs can be an issue.
“A hand-sewn cotton bag adds extra comfort to the package and removes the clinical nature of hygiene items. A large part of what we do is also about making everyone feel special,” she said.
“We were thrilled to have won the Lions District Governor’s Award and Grill’d Highpoint’s Local Matters community donation program for this initiative. The $300 we won will help us achieve our goal for 2018.
“However, we are still looking for people who can donate their time to help us sew.”
To make a donation contact the Deer Park Lions Club at www.deerpark.vic.lions.org.au
