Saints Says Thanks to Volunteers

The annual ‘thank you’ event saw 124 local care and volunteer workers, supported by Saints through ClubGRANTS, acknowledged at the event, with other guests including Penrith City Mayor Todd Carney, Saints Vice President John Burns and Signature Buffet owner Michael Lau.

More than $800,000 has been distributed by Saints, through ClubGRANTS, to assist groups, schools and organisations within the local community over the past financial year. 

Ms Car said it was “brilliant” that the Club and Signatures created this event, and that it was “right we gather” approaching Christmas, when people really need it most, to celebrate and thank volunteers.

“I would hazard a guess that many of you probably won’t have the chance to have Christmas lunch on Christmas Day, because you’ll be serving people in the community on that day — that’s who you are,” she said. 

“Saints is so embedded in our community, I see it every day as the local member, all those ClubGRANTS, all they do for local kids and giving back to the local community, schools and events like today.” 

Saints Marketing Manager Giulia Barron welcomed all attendees and acknowledged Michael Lau of Signatures Catering and his donation of more than 100 prizes.

“I would like to thank Michael and the team from Signatures Catering, for his generosity today, not only for his incredible contribution to our raffle, but also for providing this wonderful lunch,” she said.

The luncheon was developed by St Marys Rugby League Club and Michael Lau more than four years ago.

Santa also made a guest cameo appearance, putting smiles on faces. 

Saints Community Engagement Coordinator, Olivia Susino, said the Club was responsive to present-day pleas for funding, while being committed to long-term associations. 

“We are proud of our longstanding relationships with North St Marys Children Centre, Variety the Children Charity, Tregear Public School — where we fund the breakfast program, Your Community Needs, Mama Lana’s Community Kitchen, NADO, PCYC Penrith, Our Community Cares, Penrith Community Kitchen and Northcott Society to name a few,” Ms Susino said. 

It was also revealed that:

• $36,000 was donated towards North St Marys Children’s Centre to cover the cost of speech pathologist for children at the centre.

• $30,000 was donated to Cerebral Palsy Alliance (Kingswood Centre) for therapy with babies aged 0-2. This therapy offers the best chance for these babies before they receive NDIS funding. 

• $30,000 was donated to NextSense, also known also Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, which provided funding for early intervention therapy sessions. 

You can keep an eye on all the wonderful things the Club is doing here.