THE Lake Macquarie community has been quick to kick the tin for local Rural Fire Service brigades in the wake of the state's bushfire crisis.
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Service clubs, special interest groups, and ordinary individuals have been generous in donating cash and goods.
Awaba Rural Fire Brigade was a recent recipient of such a donation.
Brigade captain Callun Tracy was rapt to accept a $500 cheque from the Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise's Tim Turner (see picture).
Mr Turner said the club was prompted to support its local brigade after speaking with Coal Point artist, Isabella Jones.
He said Ms Jones was highly motivated to support the RFS, and had created a striking painting inspired by the bushfires. That painting will be auctioned by the Rotary club later this year, with the proceeds to be donated to the RFS.
"In the meantime, we wanted to do what we could as a club for our local brigade, and so we donated $500, as every little bit helps," Mr Turner said.
Meanwhile, Southlakes U3A recently donated $630 to Cooranbong Rural Fire Brigade.
Southlakes U3A secretary Pauline Kelly said the money was raised at the group's end-of-year concert at Morisset Uniting Church.
"The brigade does a magnificent job for our community, in particular with the recent fires, but also with other events they attend to during the year," Ms Kelly said.
Locals wishing to support the victims of fire-ravaged communities in NSW and Victoria have been asked to donate money, not goods.
Charities have reported being swamped by unsolicited goods which had created serious logistical problems.