Two Hunter businesses have joined forces to support fundraising events, helping disadvantaged kids and young people in the Hunter to reach their potential.
Hall & Wilcox is supporting Ride for the Stars and Broadley Signs are supporting Lunch for the Stars respectively.
These fundraisers, plus Trek for the Stars, is being held to support the Grow a Star charity program of Hunter-based not for profit community housing organisation Home in Place.
Home in Place’s Events & Partnerships Manager, Michelle Faithfull said there are a range of affordable sponsorship options available to meet businesses varying objectives.
“The ongoing support from Hall & Wilcox and Broadley Signs is so appreciated,” Michelle said.
“The trek offers businesses an exciting corporate social responsibility initiative to give back to community and to reward and develop staff.
“Following the success of our inaugural trek, we are holding another in April next year in the South Island of New Zealand.
“We need sponsorship to help ensure that funds raised by participants all go to the Grow a Star recipients rather than travel company and administration fees.
“An organisation can sponsor the trek and send two employees along. A co-sponsorship option allows two organisations to contribute financially, and each send one employee along.”
Grow a Star is a youth mentoring and scholarship program that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to follow their dreams.
Michelle said participation in education, sport, and the arts helps connect kids to their peers, and to their communities.
“Unfortunately, in households where finances are tight, these kinds of extra-curricular activities are frequently out of reach,” Michelle said.
“Grow a Star helps fund elective school subjects, specialist lessons and coaching, sporting club registrations and representative fees, and equipment or specialist clothing.
“It is so rewarding when you hear the difference that a little support makes to a young person’s self-esteem and their artistic, sporting or academic endeavours. You know you are helping to change their future.”
Since 2009 Grow a Star has helped more than 450 young people including Home in Place tenants and other members of the community.
IMAGE | Michelle Faithful with participants on inaugural Trek for the Stars.