Sam Castello has donated $40,000 to help Casey’s low income earners and disadvantaged children. From left: Group general manager Berwick Springs Hotel Joe Giustiniano, Leanne Petrides of Cranbourne Infomation Support Services, Susan Magee Casey North Infomation Support Services and Casey mayor Kevin Bradford.
CASEY’S low-income earners and disadvantaged children are set to benefit from a generous community donation.
Sam Castello, owner of the Berwick Springs Hotel on Clyde Road, recently donated $30,000 to Windermere Child and Family Services to help fund a program for disadvantaged children.
The Cranbourne Information Support Service (CISS) and Casey North Information Support Service (CNISS) also received a cheque for $10,000, which will help fund the organisations’ no-interest loan scheme.
The scheme provides no-interest loans to Casey’s low-income earners to help purchase essential household items such as fridges or washing machines.
CISS manager Leanne Petrides welcomed Mr Castello’s donation this week, and said it would be of great benefit to the city’s low-income earners.
“The no-interest loans help people out when their fridge or washing machine breaks down and they cannot afford to buy a new one,” she said.
“It means people do not have to buy ice and use eskies or go to a laundromat to clean their clothes.
“People can pay the money back at a rate they can afford. It is a good way to gain access to brand new goods, which have a longer warranty and a longer life.
“It also stops people from being caught up in the credit trap.”
Ms Petrides said the donation would help fund about 13 loans, and as people started to make repayments the money would then again become available to other residents needing a loan.
CNISS manager Susan Naden Magee also said it was good to see local businesses providing assistance to local community services.
Windermere Child and Family Services chief executive Cheryl De Zilwa said the organisation would use its donation to help fund its Kids Becoming Champions Program.
The program is operated out of Pakenham, and Ms De Zilwa said it benefited children from both Casey and Cardinia shires.
Ms De Zilwa said the program was designed for children who were severely disadvantaged and had endured extreme situations at home such as neglect and abuse.
She said the organisation worked with the children from a young age into their teenage years and provided them with counselling, a mentor program, medical and dental services, along with many other initiatives.
Ms De Zilwa said Windermere was thrilled with the donation and Mr Castello had long been a supporter of the organisation.
“There are so many worthy organisations in need of funds and I feel proud that we have been selected as one of those,” she said.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford also commended Mr Castello for his generosity and said many local residents would benefit from the donations.
