Earlier this year, store owners Satpal and Rina Bhabra called for local community groups to submit to the grant program, then invited customers to vote for a winner from the top three entrants.
Ms Bhabra said it was tough to decide on the charity groups, but in the end the three community groups in the running were Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren, Connolly Primary School and Currambine Primary School.
“Members of the local community then visited the store to place their votes over the past three months,” she said.
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READ NOW“As a result, the Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren collected enough votes for the first place grant of $1000.
“The purpose of this organisation in the community is multi-faceted: to increase awareness of grandparents who raise grandchildren full-time and advise them on how to access support services; enhance the knowledge of grandparents; empower them to provide a safe and stable home environment for their grandchildren, while encouraging them to come together and support one another.
“They also give respite to grandparents.”
Clive and Penny Rowden, the group’s president and secretary, said they would use the funds to redesign and update their website to keep their members and supporters informed.
Placing second and third, Connolly and Currambine primary schools received $600 and $400 respectively.