The Wollongong & South Coast Legacy Club looks after 1,150 veterans' families, providing services like social and financial assistance, home visits, day trips, education support, and holiday camps for Legacy Youth.
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To do this work it relies on the community's help in raising funds during Legacy Appeal Week.
The annual fundraising starts on Sunday and runs until the following Saturday but with COVID-19 restrictions still in place the annual Badge Day on the Friday is being done differently this year.
Face-to-face badge sales have been cancelled. But donations are still needed to ensure the vital work Legacy does for so many families can continue.
Legacy has kept its promise to thousands of veterans' families during the last century by providing financial and social support during times of hardship and grief.
In the past, the Wollongong and South Coast communities have had the opportunity to support their local Legacy Club for commemorative events and fundraising activities.
The Wollongong & South Coast Legacy Club, along with another 44 around Australia are trying to navigate a very different Legacy Week starting Sunday and still need support form the local community.
With COVID-19 the work has never been more vital as Legacy provides support and services to some of the most vulnerable in the community.
But clubs, such as Wollongong & South Coast Legacy, have had to make some difficult decisions.
With State and Federal Government restrictions in place, and the safety and health of volunteers and beneficiaries being so important, the club has decided to cancel the face-to-face Legacy/Badge Week fundraising initiatives this year.
Club president and legatee Dierdre Landells, said it was a particularly hard decision for the Board of Management to make as Legacy Appeal Week is the major fundraising activity of the year to finance vital work that receives no government funding.
"All our funds are raised in local communities by our volunteers, and spent locally caring for our Legacy dependents," she said.
Mrs Landells is calling on the community for its help and said other ways people can purchase merchandise, make a donation or find out more about Legacy can be found on the Legacy website www.legacy.com.au, by calling 1800 LEGACY (534 229) or email admin@legacywollongong.com.au.
Nationally, Legacy cares for 52,000 veterans' families, including Widows in their senior years, younger Widows with children, and veterans' dependents with a disability.
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