‘Cash grab’ boost for care group

By Kath Gannaway
HICCI (Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc.) got the biggest ‘giveaway’ when the Women’s Weekly and Commonwealth Bank road train rolled into Healesville.
There were lots of freebies for local families who headed for Coronation Park on Sunday, 29 April, to be part of the audience.
But, HICCI manager Anne Grieve had more reason to smile than anyone when Healesville Commonwealth Bank representatives, branch manager Ricky Skelton and popular teller Debbie Bryant, handed over $500 to help boost HICCI’s bottom line.
In each of the more than 100 towns on the On The Road tour, the local CBA nominates a local organisation to benefit from the ‘grab-for-cash’ segment of the show.
There was plenty of encouragement from the audience as the CBA team showed outstanding hand-eye co-ordination as they snatched and grabbed at money vouchers being blown around inside an inflatable booth.
“There are many worthwhile local groups and causes worthy of praise and we have selected an organisation that we think will really benefit from a boost and some extra recognition locally,” Mr Skelton said.
Healesville was the 37th stop on the 25,000 kilometre tour which will visit rural and regional Australian towns in 2007 entertaining audiences with cooking, fashion and make-up demonstrations, financial advice, motivational speakers, live performances and information sessions promoting early detection of breast and ovarian cancers.
Ms Grieve said the $500 Commonwealth Bank donation was a welcome addition to HICCI’s budget.
HICCI provides assistance for individuals and families in need through projects including Dinner at Darron’s, a weekly community dinner, transport, help with utilities payments and emergency food and fuel vouchers.