Armed with scissors, blow dryers, gift bags, formal dresses and much more, three Great Lakes women are embarking on a mission to bring a little brightness and cheer to the farming town of Dunedoo.
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Hallidays Point Lions Club’s Deb Schmitzer, alongside Francina Mills and Tori Tekley from Xstyles Salon have decided to roll up their sleeves and give a little back by playing to their strengths.
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“When I found out about what Hallidays Point Lions Club was doing, I thought it was so wonderful,” Francina explained.
“I felt that I needed to physically do something to contribute.”
Francina, a hairdresser for more than 40 years, decided to play to give what she was good at, a snazzy makeover and a good laugh.
“I thought, ‘I’ll go out there and cut everybody's hair, make them feel good.’, so what we are doing is just giving a little something for nothing, adding some cheer to these people who are going through a hard time.”
Every contribution helps, and for me it’s about helping people get involved, everyone wants to make a contribution but a lot of people don’t know how.
- Deb Schmitzer
For two days (August 25-26), the trio will set up shop at Sergio's Salon, Dunedoo to give free haircuts and have a chat with the locals, but the trip is about so much more than a fresh new look.
Previously the president of the Hallidays Point Lions Club, Deb was quick to jump on board in her own way, campaigning fiercely to raise funds and gather donations.
“We are putting together goody bags to give out, made up of all the stuff you take for granted, shampoo, deodorant, sanitary products and those sorts of things,” Deb said.
“We decided to organise this through the Lions Club, because the Australian Lions Foundation is matching every penny of funds raised dollar for dollar, which is just incredible, why wouldn’t you make the most of it?”
As well as raising funds, Deb has been collecting all manner of donations from the community, with a special focus on formal gowns for school students in years six, 10 and 12.
“The drought isn’t going away any time soon, so I thought it would be nice to collect some formal dresses for students who will have formals coming up,” she said.
“We have had a whole lot of dresses donated, the school out there is just thrilled.”
Deb has also brought her mission to the local schools in the area, with more than six jumping on board already, fundraising with Halliday’s Point Lions and ‘Lions need for feed disaster relief’ campaign.
“Every contribution helps, and for me it’s about helping people get involved, everyone wants to make a contribution but a lot of people don’t know how,” Deb explained.
“It’s going to be a bit of a feelgood trip, just to bring a bit of cheer, even for a short time. If you can make a little difference, why not have a go?
“The community has been beyond generous in their support, everyone has had something to give.”