Beenleigh Rotary Club has affectionately coined its latest charity initiative ‘don’t throw in the towel’, in which it donates towels, which would otherwise be binned, to those in need.
Last week alone club members donated 10 towels and 15 bath mats to the Windaroo Veterinary Surgery Animal Hospital, which will be used to keep animals warm and to line sick animals’ cages.
Beenleigh Rotary Club public image director, Rachelle Mulraney, said it started because of a member’s relationship with a linen provider.
“This initiative has basically started through our member Allan Hong’s business relationship with ALSCO In Eagle Farm,” she said.
“Where the commercial towels used within various business applications begin to show signs of slight wear and tear have previously been sent to landfill.
“Allan and his wife Janee (another member of the Rotary Club of Beenleigh) approached ALSCO to see if they would be happy for us to take these towels and donate them to various volunteer organisations to repurpose the plush towels and reduce the waste footprint.”
So far, towels with no or very small holes have been rolled and donated to Cafe Edge so they can be used for the homeless to shower.
Several bags of more torn towels or towels with larger holes have been donated to The Sewing Lair and are being turned into bibs, breast pads and pouches.
Some of the smaller towels and bath mats have been donated to Windaroo Veterinary Hospital and will also be donated to other veterinary surgeries in the Beenleigh area to line animal cages and keep sick animals warm during their time at the vet.
