Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce president Renae MacNamara presents Make-A-Wish Foundation representative Lawrie Leeman with a cheque for $22,000 this week. The proceeds were from the chamber’s Grand Final Day Luncheon in September.By Shaun Inguanzo
THE Make-A-Wish Foundation was this week the lucky beneficiary of the generosity displayed by Greater Dandenong businesses at September’s Grand Final Luncheon.
The Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce this week presented a cheque for $22,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps grant seriously ill children what is often a dying wish, such as visiting Disneyworld, meeting an idol, or anything else they wish for.
Chamber president Renae MacNamara said she was pleasantly surprised by the generosity of chamber members during the Grand Final Luncheon, held the Wednesday before the AFL grand final.
The chamber auctioned donated goods at the luncheon to a packed room of Greater Dandenong business representatives.
There was also a silent auction, and money collected from the door was tallied up for the Make-A-Wish cheque.
“The thing that we are most pleased about is that Make-A-Wish guaranteed us the funds will go back into the local community,” Ms MacNamara said.
“We are hoping to see next year some pictures and videos of the kids who have had their wishes granted as a result of the donation.
“There are currently nine Greater Dandenong children on the Make-A-Wish waiting list.”
Ms MacNamara said the quality of the Grand Final Luncheon also helped generate the funds, with Make-A-Wish bringing items to the auction to ensure it was a viable fundraiser.
“We are really pleased with the support Make-A-Wish gave us on the day,” she said.
“Their contribution was invaluable.
“And also just the number of members who attended on the day really reflects their generosity, and quality of the day.
“It was a great build-up to the grand final.”
