By Peter Douglas
Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service was recently the beneficiary of a substantial financial donation from the Belgrave Community Pharmacy.
As part of the ‘Chemist’s own help us help our local community campaign’, the Chemist’s Own brand donated $500 to DRERS, with the pharmacy adding a further $200 to the cause.
The funds will go towards supporting the great work of DRERS, which assist people in the community who are in need of food, medicine and financial support.
DRERS manager Tania Bevan said help from local businesses was essential to their operation.
“These funds will assist us to continue to help people in our community,” she said.
“We have four freezers and two fridges to run, and last year we gave away 3432 bags of groceries to help people who need help with food.
“Without such support, we could not provide this much assistance, leaving some people in our community going without the basics.
“Thank you to the Belgrave Community Pharmacy and to all others who provide support to us.”
Arthur Kyriakos, from the Belgrave Community Pharamcy, said they were only too happy to lend a hand.
“We were excited to learn that our nominated group, DRERS, was selected as the worthy winner,” he said.
“Being a local community pharmacy, we greatly value and support our local schools and community groups.
“We have numerous fund-raising boxes in the pharmacy.
“All customers are encouraged to pop a copy of their receipt into a box of their choice.
“We then periodically collate all these collected receipts and donated 2 per cent of customers’ purchases to these groups.”
Mr Kyriakos said they started their Community Support Program just over one year ago.
“We get a lot of satisfaction and joy in presenting funds to our local school and community groups to spend on whatever they need,” he said.
