More than $1.8 million has been donated to over 50 local community groups thanks to one of the Coast’s largest not-for-profit organisations.
Maroochy RSL hosted a special morning tea yesterday to announce the recipients of its community contribution program.
Scroll down for more photos courtesy of Grant Richards Photography
President Len Thompson said the annual charity contributions allowed multiple Sunshine Coast groups to extend their help, education, care and crisis work across a range of services.
“Over 85 volunteers and representatives from more than 50 of the Sunshine Coast’s most remarkable community groups were beneficiaries of financial and in-kind donations,” he said.
Among the recipients was the RSL’s own Veterans Hub as well as community, school and sporting groups.
“We are thrilled to again provide this funding to our local community and the support of our veterans remains our highest priority, with $1,568,690 of the $1,885,010 donated from our 2022 program directed to supporting our local veterans and their families,” Mr Thompson said.
“We know this funding makes a big difference to the lives of our veterans and their families, and it also enables us to fund the operating costs for the Veterans Hub on Memorial Avenue, Maroochydore.
“This funding continues to provide administrative and IT support for our many volunteers as well as subsidising monthly outings for veterans as well as events and commemorations throughout the year.”
Another of the funding recipients was the Falcons Footy Kidz, which provides a game-day experience for up to 60 local children with disabilities.
Falcons CEO Chris Flannery said it would be very difficult to run the program without the support of the Maroochy RSL’s funding.
“We’ve been fortunate to have Maroochy RSL as our major sponsor of this multi-award-winning program since the program started and I know first-hand how it makes a huge difference to the lives of so many local children along with their families,” Mr Flannery said.
Local domestic and family violence support organisation SunnyKids was another recipient, with CEO Kathleen Hope saying that without financial support from organisations such as Maroochy RSL it would be difficult to provide a safety net for the region’s growing community.
“In the 2021-22 financial year we supported over 2000 individuals and provided over 25,000 hours of direct support to vulnerable children, young people and their families,” she said.
Maroochy RSL has more than 18,000 current members, 50 volunteers and employs 110 staff. CEO Clare Paton said the vast array of donations could not have been possible without the support of members and guests.
“Since 2010, Maroochy RSL’s total contributions to our veteran and Sunshine Coast community is approximately $17 million,” she said.
“That’s an incredible amount of money to direct back to our veterans, their families and the broader community, and something which makes our staff and our volunteers very proud.”
Maroochy RSL sponsorship applications can be made online and must meet selection criteria to be considered.
Photos courtesy of Grant Richards Photography
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