This Anzac Day, a new community initiative will honour hundreds of Illawarra residents who have served their country, by delivering a "respect package" to their door.
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The 'Anzac Day 2020 Illawarra Digger Drop Off' is an initiative being launched by East Corrimal community advocate Leigh Stewart.
"Many of these amazing Australians, due to their age are self-isolating and for the first time in their lifetime will be forced to stay at home and not be involved in Anzac Day activities," Mr Stewart said.
"With the support of sponsors and the general community a well-presented 'respect package' will be dropped at front doors of our diggers Illawarra wide on Anzac Day."
The 'respect packages' will feature donated items, and are expected to include a meal, pack of Tim Tams, Anzac biscuits and two rolls of toilet paper.
"A letter of thanks will be also put in all packages thanking our veterans for what they have done for their country," Mr Stewart said.
Mr Stewart said numbers were still being finalised, but expected they could deliver between 500 and a thousand respect packages to those who had served (or their families), in conflicts ranging from World War II to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Mr Stewart, whose late father David served in Borneo during World War II, said Anzac Day had long been an important occasion for him and his family.
He said they were seeking the support of Illawarra RSL Sub-Branches, as well as collaborating with Vietnam Veterans' Association, Legacy and other community organisations to make this operation possible.
"For the first time in many of these peoples' lives, they're going to be sitting at home by themselves on Anzac Day," he said.
"None of your friends will be there, your camaraderie won't be there.
"The mental health of our diggers is going to be tricky... They look forward to Anzac Day. It's a day where they see their friends."
Therefore, Mr Stewart said it was the type of situation whereby it was necessary to rally the community.
"It's the respect of letting them know that we're thinking of them as a community."
Mr Stewart said the respect packages would be delivered by a team of volunteers to recipients' homes on Anzac Day in a "careful" manner that respected social distancing.
Mr Stewart said they were seeking sponsors, businesses to donate items, and also volunteers to distribute the packages.
Members of the public can also purchase a respect package for someone who has served.
More details at the 'Anzac Day 2020 Illawarra Digger Drop Off' Facebook page.
