For 21 days leading into Christmas, 180 volunteers and staff from the Kids of Macarthur health foundation wrapped gifts for shoppers at Macarthur Square in exchange for a gold coin donation.
They didn’t keep a count of how many gifts were wrapped over 21 days, but this wonderful local organisation devoted to helping our sick kids raised $9,800 from this annual initiative.
Chief executive officer Denise McGrath said the foundation was extremely pleased with the support of Macarthur residents and shoppers at Macarthur Square for their December gift wrapping appeal.
“I’m overwhelmed every year with the huge amount of support not only by the Macarthur Square shoppers but also by our volunteers who give their time to us so we can raise these much needed funds,” Mrs McGrath said.
“Without our large group of loyal volunteers and the support from the team at Lend Lease Macarthur Square, we could not make this happen”, Denise said.
“We feel truly blessed to have so many people support our foundation – hundreds of generous customers let us wrap their gifts for a gold coin donation.
“That money has gone directly towards purchasing much needed paediatric medical equipment at Campbelltown and Camden hospitals,” she said.
“Thank you for helping us change and improve the lives of some very special Macarthur residents – our children!’’
♦ The gift wrapping service wasn’t the only fundraiser for Kids of Macarthur in December.
Just down the hill from Macarthur Square, Ambarvale Hotel hosted a Christmas party for their regular patrons, complete with a donated “karma keg’’.
Patrons were able to make a donation in exchange for a beverage.
“We raised $530 from this event and the funds were donated directly to Kids of Macarthur health foundation,’’ said Trent Kelly from Ambarvale Hotel.
“We were really appreciative of the amount of money our locals raised; they were paying sometime upwards of $11 per drink, more than double what they would normally be charged,’’ he said.
“They are a very generous group.’’
The team from Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation thanked Trent and the staff at Ambarvale Hotel for their donation and for the continued support they give to the foundation.
The next major fundraisers for Kids of Macarthur will be in March when the doll fair and a golf day will take place.
For more information on the foundation and how it helps local sick kids visit its website, http://www.kidsofmacarthur.com.au/
