• Berwick Gazette
• Pakenham Gazette

By Bridget Cook

27th January 2010 02:00:07 AM

4Cs Director Jeni Mathieson, left, was presented with a $2200 cheque from vice-chairman of the bank board Bernie Wilson, steering committee member Shirley Wyett and Allison Leahan from Bunnings last week. 41594

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CARDINIA Combined Churches Caring (4Cs) is one step closer to the completion of its new Pakenham headquarters following a $2,200 donation last week.

The Lakeside Pakenham Community Bendigo Bank joined forces with Bunnings to raise money for the 4Cs’ new building fund when they hosted a barbecue at the store.

The $2,200 cheque was presented to the 4Cs last week by vice-chairman of the board Bernie Wilson and steering committee member Shirley Wyett.

Board chairman David Impey said the Community Bank was approached to help run the barbecue on what were the busiest days of the year, due to the success of the bank’s first barbecue at Bunnings on their opening day in October.

“We were delighted to be invited back by Bunnings for this special barbecue to raise money and are extremely happy with the end result,” he said.

4Cs fund-raising co-ordinator Jack Mitchell said they were thrilled with the community’s response so far.

“I feel fantastic about what’s happening … people are really responding,” Mr Mitchell said.

“I had more than 10 people call me about donations on the first day after a story about the building fund was in the Gazette and I still have people calling me every day.”

The charity requires $100,000 in cash and kind to fit out its new Pakenham headquarters, a 560-square metre factory behind the La Porchetta restaurant.

More than $400,000 has been raised so far.

Mr Mitchell said all donations would be acknowledged and all donors would be invited to the grand opening to see the final result.

Donations greater than $2 are tax deductible.

About 400 people visited the cramped Main Street office seeking food, financial assistance and crisis housing every week last year, a 70 per cent increase on 2008 figures.

Contact Jack Mitchell on 0417 035 201.

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