Make a Difference volunteers celebrated in Port Macquarie

MAKE a Difference (M.A.D) Port Macquarie held a volunteer appreciation night at Port Panthers on Wednesday, 20 August, featuring criminal lawyer and advocate Charmain Woods as guest speaker.

M.A.D is one of the largest charities on the Mid North Coast with 150 active volunteers.

The charity provides emergency assistance in times of need and connects with social services to “restore dignity, pride and hope in the most vulnerable members of our community”.

One of M.A.D’s major projects is operating a food van for people living homeless in Port Macquarie.

Erin Denham, co-founder and Director of M.A.D told News Of The Area, “Volunteering is not just the size of the task but the spirit behind it… the warm meal that we share with our friends doing it tough on the streets, the gentle reassurance in a time of need.”

Local volunteers were acknowledged and celebrated for the difference they make in the local community at last week’s event at Panthers Port Macquarie, a business which supports the charity.

Julie Lowe, who has volunteered with M.A.D for more than three years, is described by Mrs Denham as “the fairy behind the scenes”.

”When I moved to Port Macquarie 10 years ago, I didn’t know anyone, but once I joined M.A.D I met lots of people and have made many friends,” Julie told NOTA.

“I purchase food supplies for the many shifts and pack the van each Sunday ready for the week.”

Charmain Woods, the event’s guest speaker, spoke about overcoming extraordinary adversity, from surviving childhood domestic violence and parental addiction to homelessness and poverty.

Ms Woods began her career in the police force, went on to become a criminal profiler and forensic analyst and is now a criminal defence lawyer and community advocate based in Port Macquarie.

“Trauma can fuel transformation,” she said.

“You can start with no resources and end up in a place where you want to be.

“At 16 I was homeless, by 20 I was in the police force and started making a plan to help people and give back as much as I could.”

Ms Woods said she resonated with the “important” mission of M.A.D, particularly in terms of the charity’s work with the homeless.

“Proper food is important to people who don’t have it,” she said.

“If I had had just one of you give me some food [when I was a teenager] it would have made a difference to the way I felt.

“The message is hope.

“Just remember that no matter what you do – every contact leaves a trace.”

By Pauline CAIN