Woolworths’ Easter Appeal sets a new $15 million goal as it celebrates 10 years of support for Variety – The Children’s Charity
Wednesday, 22 March 2023
Woolworths has launched its Easter Appeal today, with supermarkets across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory supporting Variety – The Children’s Charity. For the next three weeks, customers are able to make a donation and help children living with a disability, chronic illness, financial hardship or geographic isolation.
Running in-store from March 22 to April 11, 2023, customers at Woolworths Town Hall can support Variety by simply adding a $2 Easter egg-shaped token to their shop or making a Round Up donation on self service check-outs. Customers shopping online can add a $2 Variety donation to their online basket.
This year, Woolworths is celebrating ten years of partnership with Variety and the $14.5 million that has been raised with the help of the NSW customers. This support has delivered grants, services, programs, scholarships and events to help Aussie kids like local nine year old Goldie improve mobility and get involved in their community, where they can better communicate, achieve independence, and increase their self-esteem.
At just 10 months old, Goldie was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic neurological disorder. Goldie’s mum, Kelly, first learned about Variety during a fundraising event and was encouraged to apply for a vehicle modification for the family car through Variety’s ‘We Move’ grant.
Variety granted Kelly’s application to modify her vehicle to accommodate Goldie’s new wheelchair, giving her more freedom to get to therapy sessions easily and join her family on new adventures and excursions.
This was the start of an ongoing relationship for Goldie and her family, with Variety providing pool-heating equipment to support Goldie’s hydrotherapy at home, as well as a Delta Recline All-Terrain buggy which allowed Goldie to be safely rolled through muddy fields and gravel to watch her brothers play sports and go on camping trips with her family.
Kelly said: “Variety knows that family time is necessary, that supporting mental health is necessary. They give us hope and remind families that people care and that there is support out there for them.”
Executive Director, David Small, said:
“This year, we’re excited to celebrate a milestone anniversary with Woolworths, celebrating 10 years of supporting Variety, and we are hoping to raise enough money this year to hit our goal of $15 million raised since the partnership began.”
“The Appeal is a great example of how a little can go a long way and together we continue to make a difference in childrens’ and families’ lives across NSW.”
Woolworths Store Manager, Jason Yau said: “Over the past ten years, our customers and team continue to exceed expectations in their generous and steadfast support of organisations like Variety.
“The local City of Sydney community continues to beat their donation goal every year. We’d like to thank all of our customers who have donated to the Easter Appeal over the years, as their generous contribution is a great example of how our community comes together to support those in need.”
CASE STUDIES
Goldie is a nine-year-old girl who loves going to school, swimming in the pool and going on walks with her parents Kelly and Matt and her three big brothers.
At just 10 months old, Goldie and her family were given life changing news that Goldie was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, eat and even breath easily.
Kelly first learned about Variety during a fundraising event and was encouraged to apply for a vehicle modification for the family car through Variety’s We Move grant. We Move is designed to fill the gaps in funding for kids living with a disability to access life-changing, specialist mobility equipment.
Variety granted Kelly’s application to modify her vehicle to accommodate Goldie’s new wheelchair, giving Goldie more freedom to not only get to her therapy sessions easily, but also join her family on adventures and excursions.
This was the start of a years-long relationship between Goldie and Variety, with Variety granting pool-heating equipment to support Goldie’s crucial hydrotherapy at home, as well as a Delta Recline All-Terrain buggy which allowed Goldie to be safely and easily rolled through muddy fields and gravel to watch her brothers play sports and go on camping trips with her family.
“Variety knows that family time is necessary; that mental health is necessary. They give us hope and remind families that people care, that there is support out there for them” says Kelly.
When asked how people can help kids like Goldie, Kelly said: “Volunteer. Help now with any amount. Make a difference. We’re all a team, we are all in it together. Variety and our amazing community taught me that. We wouldn’t be here without Variety. The red heart means everything to families like ours.”
