Community
25 March, 2021
Jeff's back with Rotary snacks
AFTER being made redundant before the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Cairns locals Jeff and Makoto Haynes came up with a volunteer project to keep busy and get out of the house, while giving back to the community.
Makoto worked in tourism for the last 15 years and Jeff was a local Strata Manager, but both lost their jobs, and decided to start the ‘Snack-Away’ project.
They deliver weekly trays of snacks to local businesses, which staff and customers can purchase by putting money in an honesty box, with all proceeds going to Rotary.
Each tray has a wide variety of sweet and savoury snacks, each costing $2.
Mr and Mrs Haynes spend hours every week re-stocking the trays at more than 50 participating local businesses, and have sold 500 snacks and raised $1000 in six months so far.
Mr Haynes has a long history of community work in Cairns, including volunteering for the Cairns Base Hospital Fundraising Association (CBHFA), Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, the inaugural “Relay for Life,” “Fun-in-the-Sun,” “Carley’s Rally for Kids,” Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, and more.
He originally came up with the Snack-Away concept in 1997, but after a short time ‘snoozed’ the idea until reviving it last year.
He joined the Rotary Club’s Trinity branch in 2002 where he met his now wife Makoto that same year.
“Rotary membership is a great way to combine community volunteering, fundraising, personal development, friendship and fun, with other like-minded people to give back to the community and people less fortunate,” said Mr Haynes.
In 2006, the couple were honoured within Rotary for their commitment and contributions.
Nearly 20 years later they are still passionately involved in Rotary as members of the Cairns West branch.
“I’ve made many new and amazing friends through community work and Rotary, with many worldwide and lifelong friendships. In Rotary, we are pleased to be able to join with others, having fun and fundraising for the local community, and Rotary worldwide health and peace programs,” said Mrs Haynes.
Any businesses wishing to support the fundraising efforts and have reasonably priced snacks delivered to the workplace every week, can sign up by contacting Snack-away@bigpond.com or leaving a message on 0417 756 859.
