Community stalwart keeps up hard work for children

ONCE a month, before 'packing day,' Ann George's Inala home is transformed into a warehouse.

A warehouse packed with donations.

Stacks of bags filled with clothing line the walls of her hallway.

Her guest room contains dozens of plastic boxes filled with toiletry kits, toys and materials.

The living room is overwhelmed with stationary supplies and books and school equipment.

It's overcrowded, of course, but the brief inconvenience is a small price to pay for the joy the donations bring to thousands of Queensland children.

As director of the Project: Love and Care program, Mrs George has spent the last seven years helping children in need.

The program collects donations which are made into 'care kits' and distributed to underprivileged children.

With the help of local businesses, community members, support services and charity organisations, more than 5000 kits are delivered to Queensland children each year.

"Wherever there is a child in need or a child in crisis, we do what we can to change their tears to smiles," Mrs George said.

"We let them know we really care about them and the situation they find themselves in."

The kits include basic items for personal hygiene, clothing, stationary, a cuddly toy as well as other materials and are tailored to the age and gender of a child.

To support the program members of the Kiwanis Club of Brisbane recently provided the charity with goods to the value of $1000.

Mrs George said businesses like NQX freight system, which assists with distribution, had also been a great help.

For more information or to make a donation, phone 3372 8493.