The Gold Coast SUNS have collaborated with Stadium naming rights partner People First Bank to give back to local charities and services within the Gold Coast community.
People First Bank have kindly donated 100 3-game memberships to reward volunteers who have given so much to worthy local organisations.
Three representatives from those community groups – Nicole Edwards from RizeUp Australia, Summer & Fletcher Skyrme from Can we Change and Belinda Tessieri from Gold Coast Youth Service (GCYS), were surprised with a membership gift pack by SUNS players Sean Lemmens, Sam Collins and Jed Walter.
“We consider ourselves a massive community-based club so when people are jumping onboard and continue to push the community approach it’s important to acknowledge that,” Sean Lemmens said.
“We’ve got some amazing people within our community who work behind the scenes so a little gift like this can go a long way to help reward the things they do off their own bat.”
People First Bank Chief Executive Officer Peter Lock said the donation resonated with the organisation’s focus in the community and purpose of putting people first.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to continue delivering positive impacts in the community as the Gold Coast SUNS’ Stadium Partner.”
“Gifting these membership packs to these very deserving charity and community groups is another way for us to continue doing good and give back to those who do so much to support our community.”
GCYS Youth Engagement Officer Belinda Tessieri said the donation from People First Bank was an amazing way for the charity to reward its volunteers.
“Gold Coast Youth Service is all about supporting young people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness or disadvantaged in this cost of living crisis,” Tessieri said.
“It’s what it means to the young people involved. Often we have young people supporting us or volunteering and we can’t always give back in the way we’d like to and acknowledge their contributions.
“So for them it’s really special in a completely different way, it’s not just food or saying thanks, it’s actually a real gift we can give them.
“It’s saying you’re valuable, you’re worth it, and we see you. To be acknowledged in a formal way is really powerful.”
Seven Gold Coast charity and community groups have received memberships thanks to People First Bank, with RizeUp, Can We Change and Gold Coast Youth Service joining Currumbin RSL, Nerang RSL, Aruma Disability Service and Gold Coast Recreation and Sport Inc.
