A very special Christmas gathering at 360Q has raised $2000 to help eight local disadvantaged children and their families.
The Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club, a volunteer group which raises money each year to fund education programs run by The Smith Family, held its annual end-of-year cocktail party on the Harbour at Queenscliff.
The club raised the $2000 through a $5 additional fee on their tickets, $805 via a raffle and $765 through the sale of Christmas-themed decorations hand-made by the club’s craft interest group.
Each year the club funds eight children in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula by donating an annual amount to cover schooling costs and excursions that their families could not otherwise afford.
They also give the children two $50 gift cards for their birthday and at Christmas, and the club periodically funds individual programs run by the Smith Family, such as therapeutic art classes.
The donations are made anonymously, although the group is sent progress reports for each child with information about how the programs are helping them.
Publicity officer Annie Webber said raising money, which the group does in various ways throughout the year, is very rewarding.
“It is incredibly satisfying to be able to support disadvantaged students when statistics show that 1.1 million Australian children are living in poverty and one in seven children need our support to make the most of their education,” she said.
“As well as the educational aspect, the program helps children develop confidence and overcome the feeling of being ‘different’ because of their circumstances.”
Annie said the club has 150 members and 85 attended the Christmas party. They chose 360Q because it is a local venue in a great location and with plenty of ambience. And she said they weren’t disappointed.
“Members have dined there and had highly recommended it as fitting for our special celebration,” she said.
“Committee members were inundated with positive feedback from members expressing their delight of the venue, the wonderful food and appreciation for a wonderful night of fun, friendship and fund-raising.
“Our program officers were much appreciative of the efforts of Barry and his staff to ensure all went smoothly and that we all had a wonderful time. Nothing was too much trouble to them. Who would have thought that we could have so much fun raising money for needy children?”
360Q owner Barry Iddles said he and his team were delighted to be part of such a brilliant fund-raising initiative.
“The Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club is a wonderful group of women doing something incredibly generous for local kids who need some assistance,” he said.
“We were thrilled to host them and donate $100 voucher to the cause.”
