SA Mother Transforms Personal Tragedy into Community Lifeline in Adelaide
The sudden death of her adult daughter eleven years ago sparked a series of life-changing events for Ann Cooper, a 70-year-old Adelaide resident. This profound loss forced her family to close their transport business and left her needing food handouts, revealing the widespread struggle many families face to make ends meet each week.
From Grief to Giving: The Birth of Cos We Care
In response to this personal crisis, Mrs Cooper founded the volunteer community group Cos We Care. For over a decade, this initiative has fed thousands of families every week without fail, operating 52 weeks a year. "We help people in need 52 weeks of the year. We don't stop," Mrs Cooper emphasized, highlighting her unwavering commitment.
Every Saturday morning, Mrs Cooper and her fellow volunteers provide free food and other essential items from their regular site at Fremont Park in Elizabeth. The demand has surged recently, with the number of families requiring assistance doubling since Christmas to more than 100 each Saturday. "Once they pay rent and bills, these families have nothing left," Mrs Cooper explained, underscoring the financial pressures in Adelaide's northern suburbs.
Expanding Support: Schools and Community Recognition
Cos We Care's impact extends beyond weekly distributions. The group also provides student lunches to 13 schools in the northern suburbs, ensuring children have access to nutritious meals. To sustain these efforts, the organization relies on donations from local businesses and fundraising activities, such as those held at Bunnings Munno Para West each Monday to cover vehicle and fuel costs.
Mrs Cooper's dedication has not gone unnoticed. She has been nominated for the Bunnings Community Legends Awards, which officially launched across Australia to celebrate inspiring local heroes. The awards feature four categories: pride, resilience, inclusion, and wellbeing, with the overall winner receiving a $10,000 donation to their chosen community group or charity.
National Spotlight on Local Heroes
This recognition comes as new research commissioned by Bunnings reveals that while Australians value their local legends, less than one in five (16 percent) can name one in their own community. Bunnings Community Legends spokeswoman Mel O'Neill stated, "At Bunnings, we feel incredibly connected to the communities where our stores and team members live and work, and we know that in every area there are special people who make their community truly legendary."
She added, "We've put it to our Bunnings team members to shine a light on those local legends out in the community, who give so much of themselves each and every day, often without recognition." Winners will be announced at the Bunnings National Conference in June, bringing further attention to grassroots efforts like Cos We Care.
Through her resilience and compassion, Ann Cooper has turned personal tragedy into a powerful force for good, demonstrating how community support can thrive even in the face of adversity.
