October News From Can Assist Harden

Can Assist Harden opened October with their Annual General Meeting (AGM).

At the meeting, committee members to take them into their 25th anniversary year were elected.

This year’s committee is:

• President – Carol Barker
• Vice President – Maxine Davis
• Secretary – Bev Stevenson
• Assistant Secretary – Allison Manwaring
• Treasurer – Maryanne Fitzgerald
• Publicity – Maxine Davis
• Membership – Sue McCarthy

Carol’s President’s report was presented, summarising the year for Can Assist Harden. Carol thanked the committee and members for their work during the year and highlighed some award winners.

“It was great to see Maryanne recognised as Harden’s 2025 Citizen of the Year in January, and June Howe announced recently as the winner of the 2025 Senior Volunteer of the Year for the entire Central West region.”

“Two very well-deserved awards for two women who donate their time to help Can Assist.”

“Most importantly I need acknowledge and thank the Domiciliary nurses who work tirelessly to help our clients and their families through challenging times,” said Carol.

Fundraising events for Can Assist Harden this year included the Deb Ball with an incredible raffle bonanza and the Head Shave and Whip Cracking with a fabulous auction.

“There are many others to thank that contributed to our fundraising this year, such as:

• Jimmy Spackman for his generous donation of wood for raffles
• Harden Touch Football – Kicked off their season by giving a $10,000 donation
• Harden Red Devils – Golf Day Out
• Harden Hawks – Ladies Day and Charity Day
• Sacred Syndicate SMC – Camper Raffle and Barry Coulton Memorial Dice Run
• Steve Pinney – Cans for Can Assist is heading towards a total of $20,000 raised since it started. The original target of $10,000 was reached in October last year, and a year on Steve is on track to raise even more funds over the last 12-month period.”

Maryanne’s Treasurer’s report was then presented, summarising the year’s financials. Steve Pinney and his family were thanked for their Cans for Can Assist initiative, which this year alone raised $7725.

Generous community donations also totalled $50,944.

Can Assist Harden outlayed an incredible $53,142 on direct patient assistance this year, which is $4000 more than last year.

This is thanks to the hard work of the committee and members with their fundraising efforts as well as generous community members and sponsors with donations.

Due to this, Can Assist Harden was able to assist a total of 40 patients this year. Following the AGM, the normal monthly meeting was held. The launch of the big Christmas raffle was discussed.

Can Assist Harden will be commencing their big Christmas raffle on Thursday the 6th and Saturday the 8th of November.

Further details on the raffle will be released closer to the time, but if you are able to assist with selling raffle tickets on either of those days, please call Carol on 0433 803 794.

Also discussed at the meeting was the upcoming 25 year anniversary for Can Assist Harden, after breaking away from the Young and Boorowa branches.

Vice President and Publicity Officer Maxine Davis said, “A celebration of this milestone is being planned with a decision on how to celebrate to be made in coming months.”

“In the meantime, if you have any memorabilia, photos or anything associated with our branch, please retain it in a safe place. Once a decision is made on what activity will be held, we will put a call out for what you may have for the event.”

Their Christmas dinner meeting will also be held a week later this year, will more details to be forthcoming following the November meeting.

In the meantime, if you or anyone needs assistance following a cancer diagnosis, please call 6386 3561.

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• Community Groups