By Corey Everitt
A lot of work goes into bettering the community at the Cardinia Foundation, all of which is only possible through the initiative of local institutions themselves.
The Foundation held a meeting last week at Shanikas Pakenham to spread the word about how local businesses together can build a thriving community by becoming a partner to the foundation.
The Foundation garners a spirit of collective responsibility through its partnership program, in Cardinia no business big or small is isolated but can have an active role in furthering the community’s social and economic wealth, and most importantly ensuring those doing tough don’t get left behind.
Castellos Group has been a long-term partner of the Foundation, chief executive officer Joe Giustiniano said it’s about ensuring support goes to all.
“We love it, we’ve been doing it before me for years and years, always very heavily involved,“ Mr Giustiniano said.
“Our patrons come from the local community, so we want to support them the best we can.
“We believe rather than one institution helping one group of people, we would rather give it to someone that spreads across the local community.”
Foundation Director and Principal of Officer’s SJD Homes, Simon Dunstan has volunteered for groups like Bless Collective to see first-hand those struggling in the community.
Mr Dunstan has concerns for the homeless in the local area, the foundation is not only a chance to give back but an opportunity for him and the company to directly help the issues they care about.
“The thing I love about the foundation is that it is just around the local area and the community,“ Mr Dunstan said.
“We have been around for 17-odd years, over the journey the local community has supported us and we should give back.”
The foundation work involves an entire enterprise, from the staff to management, where even staff join on efforts and contribute through the workplace giving program.
“What we have really seen as a company, is that everybody likes to have a purpose, our staff have responded to it really,“ Mr Dunstan said.
“Two-fold benefit for not just the community, but to our staff who are looking to contribute to this cause and help out people doing it tough.
“Most people want to give back and the foundation is a great way of doing it.”
Star News Managing Director and Chairman of the Cardinia Foundation, Paul Thomas said the partnership program is where locals can make a difference.
“The Cardinia Foundation’s mission is to foster a sustainable and resilient community. And we believe that achieving this mission is best done through collaboration and partnerships. Our partnerships are with local service providers, with the community, and businesses,“ Mr Thomas.
“The Cardinia Foundation business partnerships mean that those local businesses can have a direct impact in the local community where they operate and they and their staff most likely live. The Foundation only supports organisations who provide services or benefits for Cardinia Shire residents. It is all about place based giving.
“The Partnership program and the businesses supporting the foundation provide significant support towards driving the foundation’s initiatives. Their dedication exemplifies the spirit of corporate social responsibility and underscores the symbiotic relationship between businesses and community welfare.“
You can get involved as a partner at cardiniafoundation.org/partnerships-2/ or you can enquire by contacting admin@cardiniafoundation.org
