As Christmas approaches, the Oberon Hospital Auxiliary are encouraging everyone to shop local with a voucher raffle: for the sense of community, to support local businesses, and to assist Oberon Hospital in saving lives.
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On December 8, the auxiliary will hold a sale for their raffle tickets outside Mahwood's SUPA IGA, with more than $2,000 worth of vouchers to be won across five prizes.
Auxiliary secretary Sarah MacKenzie said that the idea behind raffling vouchers from local businesses was to keep the money in the community.
"If they [the businesses] gave a cash donation, we bought 'shop local' dockets from council so that they're used locally. A lot of businesses gave us their own vouchers," she said.
"We've split it up over five prizes, so there's five chances of winning something, and it's just to keep it all in the community because everyone's doing it tough. And the hospital benefits."
The money raised from the raffle will go towards purchasing equipment for Oberon Hospital, which Ms MacKenzie considers a worthwhile cause.
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"Everybody needs the hospital at some point. And we're very lucky here in Oberon that everybody is very generous and they do support the hospital, which is why we've been able to do so much," she said.
"So the person who wins it... they have some fun, the businesses have some fun and get a bit of advertising, and ultimately we spend the money on equipment for the hospital."
Past items donated by the auxiliary include an ED bed, crash trolleys, wardrobes, lockers, and more.
"Anything to make everybody's life a bit easier, it's the welfare of the patients," said Ms MacKenzie.
The auxiliary also buy Christmas presents for aged care residents, and a hamper for them to share on Christmas day.
Ms MacKenzie said projects like this are being spearheaded by plenty of driven women that aren't letting their age hold them back.
"I'm not kidding, these ladies are in their 80s, and they just do a wonderful job," she said.
"All our ladies, no matter how old they are, they are wonderful. I've got a 90 year old that still bakes boiled fruit cakes for us, and she still comes to meetings."
Ms MacKenzie said Therese Dillon has also been integral in this raffle project.
Oberon locals looking to support their local businesses and hospital, and maybe win something along the way, can catch the auxiliary outside Mahwood's SUPA IGA, 141 Oberon Street on December 8, 9am to 3pm. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5.
Winners will be drawn at the Oberon End of Year Spectacular on December 16.
