Cranbourne Indoor Pool manager Maurice Rossetti, Foundation Y Community Clothing member Sean Bartlett and Cranbourne YMCA Community Clothing coordinator Helen Heintz have been busy collecting donations to put local kids into sporting programs.UNWANTED clothes are turning dreams into reality for disadvantaged Cranbourne kids.
Staff at Cranbourne Indoor Pool have praised the overwhelming show of community support for the Community Clothing initiative, which raises money to put underprivileged children into recreation programs.
Manager at Cranbourne YMCA Maurice Rossetti said staff had been busy collecting about one and a half bins full of donations of old clothes and bricabrac each week.
Mr Rossetti said the proceeds go to the YMCA’s charity organisation Foundation Y, who use the funds to sponsor local children to participate in recreational and swimming programs.
“Lots of people have parted with their formaly loved clothes and other items as they know it will go to a good community cause,” he said.
“The aim of the Community Clothing program is to engage underprivileged and special needs children with quality recreational programs. We are aiming to sponsor several children who could not normally afford swimming lessons into the YMCA Aquatic Education program for approximately one year.
“We also plan to sponsor a special needs child to go on a YMCA Disability Camp,” Mr Rossetti said.
Community Clothing coordinator at Cranbourne YMCA Helen Heintz said the program was an easy way for people to raise funds for a great cause.
“The money raised will put a smile on the faces of some kids who could not normally access terrific YMCA recreation programs,” she said.
The Foundation Y Community Clothing bins are located at the front of the Cranbourne Indoor Pool in Grant Street.
A bin will also be available at Cranbourne West Primary School, Monahans Road, from the start of term one.
