A PLANT stand created by a young family to raise money sprouted legs and wandered off recently, but thanks to some kindness from locals it’s back in business.
Isabella, Zak and Lucas Toigo have been selling potted plants to raise money for cleft lip and palate surgical not-for-profit Operation Smile.
In November this year, the stand, all the plants ,and the honesty tin disappeared.
Their mum, Denika Toigo, took to Facebook to ask if anyone had seen it or if it had ended up in someone’s front yard.
“For two years our kids have run a little plant stand (initially a bit of pocket money but more recently for charity) but … discovered that their entire stand has been stolen,” she said.
“It was probably just some drunken shenanigans, but they really do put a lot of effort into their signs and growing their plants from seeds and cuttings and their little table was perfect for the purpose as it was metal and heavy but also had drainage holes.”Ms Toigo asked if it could be returned, there was no sign of the stand.
“I looked where it used to be and mum asked everyone,” Zak said.
Ms Toigo added, “Zak rode his bike around the whole neighbourhood looking.”
She said the table was quite heavy and anyone moving it would have found it to be a task.
“We do have a security camera, but it was flat that night.”
Denika said she went on Facebook to see if anyone had seen anything and also asked the police if anything got handed in – if it could be returned.
“Then a man said he could weld a new table for us,” Zak said.
Ms Toigo added local Matt Kemp saw what was happening and said if they hadn’t got the table back he would make a new one.
He used materials he had at home and some items from the op shop.
The table now has two layers, and it locked to the Toigo’s fence on the corner of Iodide and Cummins Street.
Ms Toigo was able to surprise the kids with the new table.
The kids have worked hard and have had ups and downs over the two years they have had the stand.
“We’ve had emus trash the stand, we watched them nibble at the plants,” Ms Toigo said.
“We put a CD on top to keep them away and that worked.
“The table was left in the house, by the previous owners and the kids would write their own labels and do all the potting.
“The honesty tin was stolen, but one of our neighbours found it and put coins in from his car.”
Issy said they’ve had lots of donations.
“People donate cuttings, plants, pots and we’ve just had to buy soil,” she said. “We’ve been given seeds and notes.”
Issy had to create a business plan before dad Dave, an accountant, would let her go ahead with the stand.
Originally funds raised were going to the Smile Train, but it’s now known as Operation Smile.
The charity provides surgery to correct a cleft lip.
Each surgery costs $250 and the Toigo’s have helped seven babies undergo that surgery.
Issy and Zak’s youngest sibling Lucas was born with a cleft palate and underwent surgery when he was born.
Of the fundraiser and running a stand, both kids said it has been a positive.
“It’s been a good experience,” Zak said.
Anyone wanting to donate and pick up a small plant – the stand is now securely located on the corner of Iodide and Cummins Street.
