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A time for celebration!
As you may know, this year marks our 20th birthday celebration, but more about that later. First up, on the back of Volunteer Week, we'd like to celebrate two of our amazing volunteers who were nominated for a community award. We could not be more proud!
For these awards, local people are asked to nominate individuals and groups who have made a difference in their community by either serving or contributing in some way. Awards often have categories like youth, open, seniors and groups. And typically, any the nominees in each category can be chosen as the overall award winner.
And the winners are...
Congratulations David!
You have been nominated! It's hard to know where to start with David. Apart from the amazing fact that he has been mentoring since Kids Hope's beginnings in 2004, he has also been the program's Coordinator the whole time! David has worn his leadership mantle like he was born for it, recruiting 38 mentors and seeing over 62 kids mentored over that time.
It's no surprise that the school leadership team nominated him for the Seniors category of the Deakin Community Award. That's no small feat for this young man.
David's church, Mooroolbark Baptist Church partners with Ruskin Park Primary School which demonstrates how effectively two local communities can work together to empower Aussie kids to thrive!
In the 20 years of David's service, he's mentored 10 children and has shared many stories of transformation and hope. The Kids Hope team often marvel at the tales of happy coincidence, reunion, and changed lives. Here's just one of them...
Ainsley, David's mentor child, was unfortunately absent one day when he visited for their mentor hour. While David was waiting at the office a staff member came up to him and started chatting about mentoring and in particular Ainsley. She shared that Ainsley had told her about David and had explained that he was the most wonderful and the best human being that he had ever meet. He said that David was awesome because he had taught him so much in his life. He also said that he trusted David above anyone else.
We think you'd have to agree that Ainsley is right. David is awesome! And congratulations on being nominated for the Deakin Community Award, but also for being such an excellent example to all of us. Go well David!
Congratulations Ron!
Equally wonderful, was hearing that Ron Lucas was also nominated for an award - Cronulla's Senior of the Year.
Ron brimmed with pride in March this year, as he held his NSW Local Achievement Award alongside Narelle Betts Smith, Principal of Grays Point Public School. Ron says he's humbled by the award and honoured to have received it.
Ron remembers when he was first asked to be a mentor 12 years ago. He wasn't sure he had what it took, but when his daughter told him he should just treat his mentor child the same way he treated his grand kids - he knew he had it in the bag. And he was right! Three mentor children later and Ron is still loving his role as a Kids Hope mentor. In fact, he said, "It's the most rewarding volunteer work I have ever done."
Ron's church, Gymea Baptist, has had a Kids Hope mentoring program running at Grays Point Public School for over 15 years. So, when the Kids Hope Coordinator, Leanne Langford heard about Ron's award she said,
"He has always gone the extra mile in supporting and caring for his mentor children, right down to exemplary communication and detailed progress reports! Ron has built a wonderful rapport with school staff over this time hence I am not surprised at the recommendation for the award."
Nor are we Ron. Congratulations!
Nominate a volunteer!
Please take a moment to nominate one of our volunteers to win a Tim Costello Award at our birthday celebrations later this year.
We will need their full name, the partner school and church, and of course the reason why you think they should win the award.
We can't wait to hear who you suggest!
You can also nominate one of our volunteers in your State by clicking on a button below. NB. Some states have closed 2024 nominations already.
Or check your local City Council or Electorate for additional opportunities.
It's our birthday!
We couldn't miss the opportunity to remind you that we're celebrating too - 20 years and counting!
Over those years we have literally mentored thousands of children. What a gift! Wouldn't it be great if we could grow from 900 kids now to 1,500 next year? As a team, we want to make this happen.
As part of the Kids Hope family, we want to invite you to join us in that goal. But with a funding gap of over $130,000, we need your help!
We need you to dream big with us. Can you help us close the gap and reach our next milestone? Little or big, every gift helps.
Can you give today and help us reach our goals?
To those of you who have given, volunteered and/or supported us in our goals to see more Aussie kids empowered to thrive... THANK YOU!
