As we continue to celebrate Volunteers Week, The Bugle turns its attention to some of the quieter but no less powerful threads that hold our community together.

From hand-stitched quilts to plastic picked from the tide line, these local volunteer groups are proof that compassion comes in many forms.

The Wrap With Love program is a wonderful example.

Across the Kiama region, volunteers knit or crochet colourful squares that are sewn into blankets and distributed to people experiencing extreme hardship, whether due to poverty, natural disasters or displacement.

Each wrap represents warmth, dignity and a personal touch from someone who cares.

The Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) Gerringong branch continues to be a powerhouse of community-driven fundraising.

From high teas to raffles and local events, the women behind this group have raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years to support vital research into childhood illnesses.

Their efforts are tireless, generous and deeply rooted in the belief that every child deserves a healthy future.

Kiama Quilters also combine creativity with connection.

Meeting regularly to share skills and stories, the group not only produces beautiful works of art, but also donates quilts to hospitals, aged care homes and families in need.

Their quilts often carry messages of hope and healing stitched into every thread.

On the environmental front, a growing microplastics clean-up group has taken action on our local beaches and waterways.

Quietly but consistently, they remove tiny plastics from the coastline, contributing to global research while protecting marine life and the beauty of our shorelines.

Their work reminds us that even the smallest actions can have a lasting impact.

Meanwhile, our Red Cross branches, continue to serve in vital but often invisible ways.

Whether it’s providing support to residents during emergencies, making welfare calls to isolated neighbours, or helping with transport and community resilience programs, their steady presence is felt by many.

And we cannot forget the Country Women’s Association (CWA), whose commitment to service spans generations.

Through bake stalls, community grants, crisis support and advocacy for women and families, the CWA is still as relevant today as it was a century ago. In Kiama, they remain a trusted voice and a dependable helping hand.

Each of these groups contributes something unique. Together, they form a rich tapestry of care, comfort and quiet leadership in our towns and villages.

To all our volunteers - thank you.