By Romy Stephens
With important social gatherings at the Mount Evelyn RSL put on hold during Covid-19, members have been working hard to remain connected when possible.
Late last month, a group from the RSL decided to assemble and send out Thinking of You packages to retired and ex-service members.
What started out as an idea to just send flowers or a bottle of wine, soon turned into gift bags, packed with tasty treats, useful items, a local history book and some joke books.
Mount Evelyn RSL’s Anthony McAleer said Covid-19 had been a very challenging time for the club.
“Many of our members are doing it tough since our clubrooms closed due to the Covid-19 restrictions,” he said.
“For many, our Thursday social afternoon is the main social interaction they have each week.
“As a result, we decided to send them a special gift to lift their spirits in these stressful times.”
The RSL also ensured all of the items in the care packages came from local businesses such as IGA, the local milk bar, the chemist, the bakery and more.
The project was also sponsored by the Mt Evelyn Community Bank Branch.
Betty Crittenden has been involved with the Mount Evelyn RSL for 38 years and helped organise the care package project.
She has also been calling and writing letters to members, to make sure they are well and aware of the support behind them.
“It gives me a great deal of pleasure to know they are getting some happiness. It’s a sad time to be locked at home,” she said.
“[The RSL] is very important to me, it’s my second family.
“The Mount Evelyn RSL is a community club and we do lots for the local community that often goes unknown – but we do help all the ex-servicemen, whether they’re members or not.”
