‘Back to School’ supply drive is huge success
RE/MAX Gold’s second annual Back to School Supply Drive finished on a fantastic high in Gladstone this year, with more than twice the number of students in need able to start 2018 with their necessary school items than the previous year.
RE/MAX Gold broker owner, Shane McLeod, saw families in his community who were struggling to afford the school items their kids needed to start or continue their education following the yearly Christmas costs at the end of 2016, and responded to that need.
What began as a simple call for assistance via Facebook, Instagram and local media outlets generated an amazing response and the ability to partner with local community charity, Roseberry Qld, to distribute the local donations to around 80 children in that first year.
Following an increased call for help from struggling local families, the RE/MAX Gold and Roseberry Qld teams looked to grow the event further in 2018 and launched a targeted social media and local news campaign.
“We were blown away by the generosity shown by the Gladstone community,” said Mr McLeod.
“Gladstone has always stepped up with helping those in need when the call goes out and, as a community, approximately $23 million is donated annually across all charities, in addition to projects like this that include physical items or service given.
“We truly belong in a special region of givers, even when times are tough for everyone.” he said.
The 2018 school supply drive resulted in thousands of donations and over 200 students from year one to tertiary being delivered their items via Roseberry Qld in time to start their school year.
Roseberry Qld General Manager, Colleen Tribe, said “It’s really important to set up a child for success at school and to have the items they need to get an education is really important”.
“The look on these students’ faces, especially the little ones, when they come in to collect their gear is just precious,” she said.
Items donated included backpacks, lunch boxes, pens and pencils, glue sticks, exercise books, rulers, colouring pencils, pencil cases, folders and much more, in addition to hundreds of dollars’ worth of vouchers.
RE/MAX Gold and Roseberry Qld are determined to keep the annual event a mainstay of their community projects, and thank the Gladstone community and their staff for such outstanding support. School items can be donated all year round. After all, #everychilddeservesachance.
Media contact:
Shane McLeod, RE/MAX Gold, Gladstone. M. 0413 331 945. E: shane.mcleod@remax.com.au