Due to our recent windfall we wanted to make an immediate impact within our community. In conjunction with Fosterville Gold Mine we distributed 267 food hampers across our Agency Network to families in need. This along with 112 toy packs and 105 additional clothes packs made for a busy few weeks for our hard working volunteers. It gave us so much joy to be able to assist so many families that needed some Christmas joy!
November 2021
The VRC ran their annual Melbourne Cup Sweep for all their suppliers, who then got to choose a charity for their horse. Fosterville Gold Mine, who supplied the gold for the cup, chose us and we won!
$50,000 was the prize and we are so grateful, feeling quite overwhelmed and so very very excited.
The link to watch the interview on channel 10 with our Founder / Director Glenda is below.
In April 2021 we ran a very successful winter pj drive and were blown away with the generosity of "our village".
458 pairs of pj's and $815 dollars for us to "top up" any needs.
Businesses such as -
The Archer & Me
Lisa Chesters (local MP)
The Rest
Don Small Goods - Castlemaine
Shine Bright Kindergarten
Were all contributors along with so many families and individuals. One lady even drove from interstate to share what her small country community put together.
Many little kids were much warmer this winter due to everyone's generosity!
Over the Easter weekend in Bendigo the Citroen Club of Victoria and the Citroen Classic Owners Australia hosted the National "Cit-In" Meeting. Their Executive chose us to be the local sponsored charity and presented us with a very generous $3,000 donation to assist our ongoing work.
In February 2021, we have changed the branding of Sunshine Bendigo. We are thrilled with our new logo, as we think it represents the brightness and joy that community donations can make in the lives of the local families referred to our Organisation.
In June 2020 we celebrated being at our site in Vains Street Golden Square for 12 months. We are so pleased with our set up and our new home. The Community is always welcome to visit and see where we are & what we are about. Photos showing the changes posted on our social media platforms - what a 12 months it has been!!
BENDIGO ADVERTISER
An interview with Founder Glenda Serpell appeared in the Bendigo Advertiser on May 16th. Link to story https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/6756394/bendigo-service-calls-for-donations-to-support-vulnerable-families/
Thanks to Bendigo's Best a great local partnership showcasing the incredible work of Sunshine Bendigo and how the local community can support us. Check out the video here: https://1drv.ms/v/s!Ahb_rjNXpu0NrCrRLxrvJnkn_iSN
As from Tuesday 18th June we are thrilled to be re-opening in bigger and newer premises. We have been lucky to have been offered this space at a reduced cost, by such a generous supporter of the work we do. Check out our contact page for full address and opening hours.