Greater Bank employees across the state made a number of special deliveries in the lead up to the Easter break, and in the process provided some of the community’s most vulnerable people with holiday cheer.
Employees from the Hunter, Central Coast, Port Macquarie, Dubbo, Orange and Armidale branches visited Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Supported Independent Living residents and Therapy Centre clients to deliver Easter eggs donated by Greater Charitable Foundation, as well as hand-made personalised cards.
While the threat of COVID may have subsided for many people across NSW, it remains very real for Cerebral Palsy Alliance clients who live with medical conditions or a weakened immune system. It means they still need to be careful, sensible and to isolate as much as possible from the wider community.
This isolation, particularly during traditional periods of celebration such as Easter, can leave individuals with a greater sense of loneliness, which can impact their emotional state and overall wellbeing.
In total, employees from 20 Greater Bank branches conducted the deliveries in a COVID-safe manner, putting a smile on the face of more than 450 Cerebral Palsy Alliance clients.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Regional Manager, Alicia Frost, said the partnership with Greater Charitable Foundation, which has been ongoing for decade, has enabled them to provide a number of valuable services that support children across regional NSW who have or are at risk of cerebral palsy.
However, this simple, generous act by the Foundation and Greater Bank’s employees has made a significant impact on the lives of their independent living residents who are all adults who love to celebrate Easter.
“Connecting our residents with the community is an important part of the service that we provide, however, this has been near impossible given the circumstances around COVID over the past 12 months,” Alicia explained.
“The simple act of giving, as well as Greater Bank employees taking the time to visit our wonderful residents, albeit keeping a physical distance, is incredibly powerful and I know will make a real and positive impact on their lives.
“We can’t thank Greater Bank and Greater Charitable Foundation enough for this generous support of some of the community’s most medically vulnerable people.”
Greater Charitable Foundation, CEO, Anne Long, said that she was fortunate to work with such caring people who freely give their time to help others.
“It was wonderful to provide the hampers for CPA’s residents but even more so to have our branch employees volunteer their time to undertake the deliveries,” Ms Long said.
“We are so fortunate at Greater Bank to have such community minded people who are passionate and engaged with the programs that we support. I know our people get as much, if not more, out of participating in these activates as those whom we support.”
Now in its 10th year of giving, Greater Charitable Foundation has committed more than $9.3 million in funding to support 31 charitable organisations. This has provided a direct benefit to more than 32,000 people.