Alocal business has made a significant contribution to support vulnerable young people living in an ac.care child and youth residential care property.
O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier donated around $17,000 in goods and labour to improve the local property, including installation of a solar energy system and complete garden makeover of the rear yard.
Around 20 O’Brien Electrical employees donated their time in the lead-up to the festive season to help complete the project, which included installing a $10,000 battery donated by the business.
It has made a lasting impact at the property, which provides a caring and nurturing home environment for up to four children and young people who are under the Guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection and for whom foster or kinship care is not currently an option.
With a Giving Back initiative already engrained in the long-standing business, ac.care was the beneficiary of the local business’ latest charitable cause thanks in part to fortunate timing.
O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier operations administrator Bonnie Rothall said ac.care had been in touch for a quote for a solar package which they saw as a prime opportunity to give something back to an organisation that gives a lot to the community.
“Giving back to the community is important to our business and our team,” she said.
“A business can only thrive with the support of the community and its clients, so it is important for us to give back to the community that has supported us over the years.”
Ms Rothall’s sentiments were echoed by her brother and O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier managing director Dane Paproth, who praised his team for giving up their Saturday morning to make a difference.
“We are fortunate we have got the staff that we do,” Mr Paproth said.
“Staff have donated their time back to the community and it is a good opportunity for us to all get together and do something positive to help.
“This upgrade is really going to help with the property’s energy use and will allow it to be more sustainable with the help of the battery storage.”
The property is one of six in Mount Gambier that can house up to four children or young people at a time, aged 10-18 years, who receive support from ac.care’s skilled staff team of child and youth workers who work on a 24/7 roster.
The children and young people live in a safe therapeutic environment until they are able to transition into a longer-term living arrangement, such as foster care, kinship care, reunification with family or support to transition into an independent living program.
ac.care community engagement manager Jason Wallace thanked the business for its generosity, which he said will continue to positively impact on the children and young people living at the property.
“Community contributions increase our impact supporting vulnerable country South Australians,” he said.
“We are grateful for the team at O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier for generously donating their goods, time and expertise to not only reduce electricity costs at this house, but importantly create an inviting and easy-to-maintain garden for the children and young people to enjoy,” he said.
