Thanks to the efforts of the annual Club Lennox Christmas Tree fundraising drive and Southern Cross Credit Union (SCCU), a cheque for over $3,800 has been presented to Our Kids – Northern Rivers Children’s Health Fund.
Receiving the cheque on behalf of Our Kids, Fundraising Coordinator Rebekka Battista said
With restrictions limiting fundraising activities, it’s great to receive the much needed funds from SCCU & Club Lennox. How they went about the whole fundraising idea is so unique, fun and community minded – and it proves just how much can be done when businesses work together.
The idea, stemmed from a shared vision to bring some Christmas cheer at the end of a turbulent 2020 while giving more back, saw SCCU and Club Lennox join forces and bring together two programs that reflect their shared care and commitment to community.
Kevin Watts, Club Lennox Treasurer explained that while the Christmas Tree drive is in its sixth year, 2020 by far surpassed previous fundraising efforts thanks to the partnership. Kevin, who first suggested the idea to sell real Christmas Trees through the club as a means of fundraising said “It’s been so great seeing more and more families choose to buy through us and in turn give back to others. This year was a little different as SCCU also had the idea to donate $1 for every customer who completed their annual survey, effectively buying more trees and giving the ones they had funded away as surprises on the day of pick up. It was such a great success as those lucky enough to draw a free tree, pre-paid for by SCCU, not only got the surprise but also often chose to donate extra funds towards this year’s charity, Our Kids”.
Working side by side on the weekend Christmas Tree pickups, the Club Lennox team and volunteers from SCCU provided over 230 trees. Funds from each tree, along with additional donations made by the community saw and increase of $1,900 on last year’s Club Lennox fundraising efforts.
Commenting on the use of the funds, Battista shared that Our Kids plan to use the funds to support Kamala Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, an eight-bed inpatient unit providing services for young people aged 12 to 17 years by purchasing exercise equipment.
Addressing mental health issues has always been a prominent topic for the region and around Australia, and after last year we know we need to direct funds in support of anything that can have a positive impact in this area. The new equipment including bikes and rowing machines is used in therapy to help young teenagers improve not only their physical but mental state.
SCCU’s Chief People Officer Jessica Jackson said “It was so much fun for all involved. The faces when families, couples and kids when they drew a free tree card was amazing to witness first hand. As a Credit Union, the idea of giving back full circle is what really drove the idea and thanks to our customers, we were able to increase support for a great cause as well as spread some joy in the region we call home”.
Asked about why supporting Our Kids is so important, Watts commented “Every year the Club Lennox Board decide where the fundraising will have the most impact. After all the pressure on our health system in the past year and their work to support families and youth, we felt Our Kids could easily put the money to good use”.
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