KickStart for Kids
KickStart for Kids officially opened their brand new million-dollar warehouse/office space in 2021, creating a central hub for all operations thanks to the generous donations and support from a range of South Australian businesses.
Having completed construction at the end of 2020, the large purpose-built facility has allowed KickStart for Kids to reach more disadvantaged children and has enabled the training of new volunteers, the up-skilling of volunteers, and provided the charity with a communal place to call home.
During the school year, KickStart for Kids provide 65,000 breakfast meals each week to disadvantaged kids in SA schools (this has grown significantly since the pandemic). They also support children through reading and mentoring programs, as well as holiday camps (Camp KickStart) throughout the break so that kids in need can get support even when they’re not in school. They are helped by 1,500 wonderful volunteers and the generosity of the South Australian public and many local businesses.
FOR CURRENT DONATION REQUESTS VISIT THE KICKSTART FOR KIDS FACEBOOK PAGE
Located at 87 James Melrose Road (across the road from the entrance to the Glenelg Golf Club) KickStart for Kids founder, Ian Steel OAM, was thrilled to finally share the new space, that has been over two years in the making, with the rest of the community.
“I am so excited that we are finally able to show our wonderful new space to the public! COVID delayed our grand opening last year, so myself and the team are keen to showcase it – we’re all extremely proud,” Ian says.
“The successful project is all thanks to the outstanding support from a large number of SA companies who donated their time, materials and labour valued at around $500,000. We also received an overwhelming $900,000 in cash donations including $200,000 from Variety SA”.
South Australian property developer, Emmett, was a major contributor to the project, organising trades and project managing the entire construction process free of charge and the Ahrens Group and Bluescope Steel provided all the structural steel and all the roll-formed roofing and cladding free of charge.
Emmett’s Managing Director, Nick Emmett, describes his decision to work with KickStart for Kids on the project.
“Particularly in recent times, it is beholden on all of us to do what we can for those around us. KickStart for Kids plays an essential role in helping disadvantaged kids get the most from their education. This work is vitally important to the whole community and so it was an easy decision to get involved and pull together our suppliers and subcontractors to help deliver the new facility for them,” Nick says.
Ian continued,
“Our new headquarters allows us to reach more disadvantaged children than ever before, being able to deliver more of our programs to schools across South Australia and provides us with the opportunity to grow our footprint even wider which is what is needed as the need for our services continues to grow, especially over the last 12 months.”
For more information and all enquiries please visit the KickStart For Kids website.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: Ian Steel photo supplied / all other photos by Play & Go
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