The Buderim Foundation is once again on a mission to assist local families by distributing cash vouchers to schools and charities that will help with back-to-school expenses.
This is the seventh consecutive year the Foundation has assisted with the project and Buderim Foundation Director Dr Sarah Bird said it has become an annual event on the Foundation’s calendar.
The 125 vouchers, valued at $50 each, will be distributed by the schools and charities to families requiring assistance with their children’s back-to-school expenses. The vouchers can be spent at Target stores.
The vouchers, valued at $6,250, are provided to the Buderim Foundation by the Australia-wide Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Sidney Myer Fund, which operates the 2011 Back to School Program that assists families in need of support with the start of the school year.
“The directors of the Buderim Foundation are pleased that the strong relationship with the program has resulted in Back to School vouchers for Buderim families. And we enjoy working with Buderim organisations to get the vouchers out there,” Dr Bird said.
“We have provided vouchers to several schools including Buderim Mountain State School, Mountain Creek Primary School and Chancellor State College, as well as half a dozen community organisations including St Vincent de Paul, SunnyKids, Community Solutions and the Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Foundation.
“Working through these organisations ensures that the families and children in the greatest need obtain the most benefit from the program, whilst maintaining privacy for all involved.
“The Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Foundation in particular has a strong connection to the Foundation,” Dr Bird said. “Cindy was a dear friend of mine and many others involved in the Buderim Foundation, so it is really great to be able to support them in this small way. The feedback we’ve received is that families are surprised and delighted by the vouchers… it’s definitely a win/win/win situation,” she said.
The 2011 Back to School Program is an initiative of the FRRR and the Sidney Myer Fund and supported by The Sidney Myer Fund, VISY, The Aussie Farmers Foundation, The Julian Flett Foundation, The Edward Wilson Trust, The Wyatt Benevolent Institution and Target.
More information on the Buderim Foundation can be obtained by visiting the Foundation’s website www.buderimfoundation.org.au, by contacting a Board member on info@buderimfoundation.org.au or writing to the Buderim Foundation, PO Box 1408, Buderim, QLD 4556.
