General News
14 July, 2021
Ag Warehouse Simpson supports community
AG WAREHOUSE Simpson joined forces with Specialty Mixed Stock Food to donate more than $2000 in animal feed to the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park.
AG WAREHOUSE Simpson joined forces with Specialty Mixed Stock Food to donate more than $2000 in animal feed to the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park.
Ag Warehouse Simpson manager Jeff Holmes said he was pleased to be able to organise sponsorship for the wildlife park which has seen patronage reduced due to COVID-19 and a lack of international visitors.
“I took a donation of wet weather gear recently and when I was talking to him (park owner Yosef Lasarow) he said he was struggling due to COVID and the decline in visitation due to no international tourists in the area,” he said.
“Specialty Mixed Stock Food come to the party and we did a joint sponsorship of animal feed.
“We’re trying to get involved and support the community.”
Mr Holmes encouraged residents to pay a visit to the wildlife park.
“We hope we can inspire locals to go for a visit,” he said.
“It’s about keeping them afloat during COVID times. If you lose something like that in the district, you don’t get it back.”
Mr Lasarow said COVID-19 had delivered a “severe blow” to the economic infrastructure of almost every country around the globe.
“One of the hardest sectors in Australia, was and still is, the international tourist industry and the subsidiary branches that draw their sustenance from it,” he said.
“Many of the affected operators have had to restructure their business strategies and turn towards local tourism in order to make ends meet.
“Some are succeeding, yet many are grappling with major question marks as to the prospects of their immediate, and long-term futures.
“With the long year and a half financial drought behind them, and the gloomy winter months looming over their heads, many have their hands deep in their pockets, scrounging for loose change that might be hidden in the folds.”
Mr Lasarow said as challenging as the situation may be, the scrutiny focuses not only on the reactions of the afflicted, but more specifically at the heart of the community itself, and the fabric from which it has been woven.
“Being human should never be a selfish endeavour, for if we cannot feel another’s anguish, and we cannot respond with compassion and heartfelt support, what really are we worth?
“One prime example of genuine soulful intention was that of Jeff Holmes, manager of AG Warehouse Simpson, who took it upon himself to reach out to members of his community who were subject to the financial tensions of these testing times.
“Being a recipient of his kindness... I gratefully accepted a very generous donation of an assortment of animal feed which will no doubt be put to good use and help to ease the burden.”
Mr Lasarow said he had no doubt there were others among the local community, and other communities across the country, who have had the courage and the wisdom to stand up and do the thoughtful thing.
“These are the real people of our world and the pioneers who are forging the path that will bring peace to Earth someday,” he said.
“May these challenges serve as an awakening to the simple, yet most important things life has to offer.”