Playgroup seeks serious donations

By Sarah Schwager
A CRANBOURNE playgroup is appealing for donations to help keep it running.
The Camms Road Playgroup started up at the beginning of last year and now runs one day a week.
However, playgroup coordinator Kate James said the group only made enough money to pay the rent.
She said she was constantly digging into her own pocket to buy toys while the children always brought their own lunch.
As the playgroup’s numbers increase, they are desperately seeking donations of vouchers or play equipment, toys, craft items and so on.
“As we are a non-profit organisation it is hard to gain toys and play equipment to run a happy and successful playgroup for the children,” Ms James said.
A full time mum, Ms James took over the running of the playgroup this year after being nominated by other parents when the former coordinator left.
Ms James’ son, 22-month-old Rhys, has attended the playgroup since its inception.
At the end of last year she sent out letters to numerous local businesses pleading for help and received just two donations – a $25 voucher from Centro Cranbourne Shopping Centre and a $50 voucher from Safeway Cranbourne.
“We are very happy and appreciative of their support,” Ms James said.
“But the response from other companies was very disturbing. We are not money hungry, we just want it for the kids.”
Ms James said the playgroup was also in desperate need of a new bagless vacuum cleaner as their old one is fast approaching the end of its life.
They are also trying to get a $12,500 grant from the City of Casey as the space needs doing up on top of the other costs.
The playgroup, run through the City of Casey, runs Thursdays from 1-3pm for one to five-year-olds.
Cost is $3 per week per child and $1 per week for each additional child per family.
Ms James said if they received further funding or enough enrolment, they would love to run the playgroup for another day.
The playgroup is located on the corner of Camms Road and Damien Court, Cranbourne, at the Camms Road Maternal and Child Health Centre.
For information on enrolments call Liz on 0431 209 216 or to make a donation contact Kate on 5996 2768.