Officeworks and The Smith Family celebrate a 10-year anniversary of their partnership this year, which has helped underprivileged school students across the country make the most of their education.
The Officeworks back-to-school appeal for The Smith Family Learning for Life program is on for the rest of January, and Shepparton business store manager Paul Trewren is encouraging customers to help support the “great initiative”.
“We raise funds to sponsor children for their educational needs, whether that be books, pens, pencils, whatever utilities they need to actually function at school,” Mr Trewren said.
“Education is important no matter what year it is.
“It’s bringing in the next leaders within our community and it helps those that are underprivileged get the education they deserve as well,” he said.
Mr Trewren said the program was all about helping the local community.
“Whatever we raise in Shepparton goes directly to students in Shepparton, every dollar we raise goes to sponsoring a child,” he said.
Mr Trewren, having been at the company for 10 years himself, said he had seen the initiative grow and help support local kids year after year.
“We’ve raised over $6.5 million over the 10 years, and we’re going to be able to add to that this year,” he said.
Mr Trewren said the store had raised enough funds to sponsor seven kids within the local community but was hoping to add to that list before the end of the month.
Customers are encouraged to support the initiative by donating at Officeworks in store or online.
“Even if they can just spare a dollar, every dollar counts and goes towards sponsoring a child within the local community,” Mr Trewren said.