OneFortyOne and the Pioneers Basketball Club are calling on the community to get involved in their upcoming memorabilia auction to support the Backpacks 4 SA Kids charity.
OneFortyOne Jubilee Sawmill General Manager Paul Hartung said the charity was “doing some excellent work right here in the Limestone Coast”.
“There are local families and children who need support so any assistance we can give to an organisation such as Backpacks 4 SA Kids will go a long way,” he said.
“14 Pioneers playing jerseys will be auctioned and OneFortyOne will match the raised funds.”
The auction will be held via OneFortyOne’s Facebook page from 9am 16 – 23 October, with winning bidders to donate directly via direct deposit to Backpacks 4 SA kids.
Backpacks 4 SA Kids assisted 540 children in its first year in 2012 and as demand for the service increases, the charity now assists more than 6000 children per year and around 1000 carers.
The backpacks provided help to relieve some of the stress and anxiety children face when they are removed from their family, often in traumatic situations and without the opportunity to take any personal belongings with them.
Each backpack contains age appropriate emergency clothing, toiletries and other necessary supplies for children aged 0-16 years who are taken into care as a result of neglect or abuse, family violence, or are experiencing homelessness.
“Some of the best feedback we have had is from children we have helped.
One child was so excited to have their own toothbrush and toothpaste because they were not allowed to have these things for themselves when they were removed from their unsafe home,” Backpacks 4 SA Kids Volunteer Representative Karen Richards said.
“It’s those little things which make the biggest difference and these backpacks go a long way to supporting local children who are in a crisis.
“We are always so thrilled with the generosity of people in the region and we really appreciate the support of OneFortyOne and the Pioneers to help raise some funds through the online auction.”
Pioneers Basketball Club President Tom Kosch said the club was humbled to be involved.
“We have been proud to partner with OneFortyOne since the company came on board as a Platinum Partner in 2018,” he said.
“We are even prouder to be involved together in something as special as this to help vulnerable children.”
