IN a town the size of Manildra, there are only so many pies and lamingtons you can sell.
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Manildra Preschool director Wendy Hallinan said while the community had been generous with donations and fundraising efforts since the preschool building burnt to the ground earlier this year, there was a limit to how much people could give.
"It's a real drain on a small rural community in the drought," she said.
That's where Austar has stepped in.
The company is trialling the Community Connect program in the Orange and Dubbo districts and has offered to help the preschool with its fundraising efforts, including a quiz night and charity auction in Orange.
Project manager Geoff Kingswood said the Community Connect program would focus on organisations which were nominated for a $5000 Community Grant earlier this year.
"Manildra was one of the finalists for the grant and we're carrying it on because we thought it was a worthy cause. It's a small community that was very hard hit when the preschool burnt down," he said.
The preschool looks after children from 19 families in the area. They have been using the Scout Hall in Cudal Street as a temporary premises since July.
"The hall is still owned by Scouts Australia so we're still a little bit unsure about our future here," Mrs Hallinan said.
"At this stage we're leasing it.
"We would really love to buy this. It's got a lot of potential and we feel we could be happy here."
Austar is asking businesses to donate a quiz prize or item for the charity auction.
The Hotel Canobolas has donated the venue for the charity night on Saturday, October 29. Call 6364-5213 to book a table for the night or email Geoff Kingswood at geoff@austar.com.au to donate an item or service as a prize.
