To celebrate their 26-year partnership with Special Olympics Australia, Independent Grocers of Australia, IGA, presented a cheque donation of $180,000.00 at the 13th annual Special Olympics Australia Signature Dinner held at Luna Park, Sydney 24th August.
IGA is proud to continue supporting Special Olympics Australia by helping to raise awareness and vital funds through IGA’s Community Chest program. Since 1992, IGA has helped raise over $1.8 million which has funded accessible sports coaching, training and competition pathways, so that people with an intellectual disability can achieve their personal best in sport and life.
The cheque was presented to Special Olympics CEO, Corene Strauss, by Danielle Wilkes, Metcash General Manager of Marketing.
Special Olympics Australia Chief Executive Officer, Corene Strauss, thanked all IGA Metcash stores and supporters of the IGA Community Chest which has enabled Special Olympics Athletes to engage with local store owners and IGA customers, to help break down barriers of adversity, injustice and inequity.
“Thanks to the support of IGA Metcash stores, we are one step closer on our mission to create an Australia where all people are recognised for their diverse abilities and backgrounds. There are 668,000 Australians with an intellectual disability. With partnerships like this one with IGA Metcash, Special Olympics Australia can help ensure that our communities care and value people with an intellectual disability. We are very grateful for IGA’s deep commitment to helping us achieve our mission,” said Corene Strauss.
Metcash GM of Private Label & Merch, Mehul Patel, acknowledges the collaborative efforts across all the 1,400 independent grocery stores that make up IGA that support Special Olympics Australia.
“That’s 1,400 stores and their local communities around Australia that are raising funds for this wonderful charity and many more. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be representing these incredibly generous retailers and their families that care so much about giving back. IGA has been involved with the Special Olympics for 25 years now, and to date our retailers have raised more than $1.8 million dollars and tonight we are excited to add another $180,000 to that amount. We couldn’t be prouder of this partnership and all the athletes this organisation supports.”
Formerly known as Special Olympics Australia’s Variety Dinner, the annual Signature Dinner is a key fundraising event for Special Olympics Australia.
IGA strives to support local communities around Australia with programs such as the IGA Community Chest. The IGA Community Chest raises funds for local charities, teams and organisations through in-store purchases, including products from IGA’s new Community Co™ range.