YOUR small change can make a big change – and the Hastings Education Fund would like as much of it as you can spare.
The Hastings Education Fund launched its 2014 fund-raising campaign on Monday, welcoming the Hastings Co-operative aboard as a major sponsor at a celebratory morning tea at the Wauchope RSL.
All Hastings Co-operative stores – from supermarkets to bottle shops and hardware stores – now have collection tins so that customers can donate some of their left-over small change to the fund. The catch-cry of the fund-raising is ‘donate your small change for a big change’.
Hastings Co-operative CEO Allan Gordon said the co-op was delighted to be supporting the fund and was committed to locals supporting locals.
“This campaign is a clear signalling of that commitment,” he said.
Hastings Education Fund chairman Peter Cuskelly thanked the co-op and said the number of students seeking assistance was increasing each year. He urged more businesses to follow the co-op’s lead and sign on as sponsors.
“With the support of the local community donating their small change, we hope to be able to assist many more local youth to reach their career goals,” he said.
The fund provides financial assistance and encouragement to local students aged 17 to 21 as they pursue further education, training or chosen vocation.
It was formed in 2011 and since then has raised and distributed more than $100,000 in grants, with universities also matching some grants dollar for dollar.
Grants are based on financial need and are distributed in the form of reimbursement for things like computer hardware/software, textbooks, uniforms and equipment.
Three previous grant recipients spoke at the launch, telling just how much the grant had meant to them, enabling them to continue studying with young children or despite a major medical hurdle.
Applications close at the end of October each year.
