Excitement started building at Stockland Shellharbour this week as sponsors for the annual KidzWish Party on November 23 and KidzWish Ball on November 24 gathered to celebrate $100,000 in support.
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KidzWish chief executive Chris Beaven thanked the generous business people from Finance Control, Stockland Shellharbour, LuxLiving Homes, QBE Foundation, NSW Government, Westpac Foundation and Veolia for contributing $100,000 to go towards KidzWish’s two major annual events.
Mrs Beaven said it coincided with work starting on construction of the new KidzWish Place at Flinders.
Kevin McDonald, of Finance Control, said the business has sponsored the Christmas Party and Ball since it all started in 2004.
“Through the charity ball and the different events we have done with KidzWish we’ve met a lot of people involved and the passion they have for helping the kids is amazing,” he said.
“The ball really brings the community together. We see how much KidzWish really puts into what they do and give back to the community in such an amazing way. We take a number of tables each year with our clients. And our operations team go to the Christmas Party and help out any way they can.”
QBE has been supporting the ball for four years.
And Steve Chlopicki said the entire workforce supported the annual fundraising event and children’s party.
“We have a team of 10 staff from Wollongong and Sydney helping out throughout the day who really enjoy it. It is great to be part of it. We spend the day doing the welcoming and handing out McDonalds nuggets and present to the kids. QBE Foundation donated $10,000 to the charity this year.”
Mrs Beaven said McDonalds started off proving 300 meals for the children at the KidzWish Christmas Party in 2004 and that has grown to 4300 in recent years. It is so big 26,000 nuggets will be prepared for the children on November 23.
It has become so big they new prepare the meals on site and the 10 McDonalds staff are helped by an army of volunteers to feed the hungry and excited children.
“The party would not be what it is without the McDonalds McHappy Meal,” she said.
“It is the largest Christmas Party of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.”
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
