The Central Coast community has helped raise more than $8,700 for The Smith Family through a major fundraising effort run by Officeworks Tuggerah.
The money will help provide essential education support to 13 children in the region impacted by poverty.
Held from December 26 to February 11, Officeworks Tuggerah’s fundraising contributed to $1.3M raised by Officeworks stores across the nation during the 2024 Back to School Appeal.
Funds raised will go to The Smith Family’s Learning for Life sponsorship program, helping 2,000 children and families impacted by poverty afford the cost of their child’s essential school supplies like uniforms, books and excursions, as well as providing personal support and extra educational programs to help students stay motivated and connected to their learning.
Over the course of its decade long partnership with The Smith Family, Officeworks’ customers and team members have contributed more than $9M through the annual appeal, enabling The Smith Family to provide more than 14,000 one-year Learning for Life scholarships for students across Australia.
“We are so grateful for the ongoing support of Officeworks, their generous customers and passionate team members, who have come together to support young Australians with their education,” Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor said.
“When young people start school without the essentials they need to keep up with their peers; they risk falling behind and disengaging from their learning.
“With this long term, wrap-around support, even more students will be able to stay engaged at school and make the very most of their education.”
Officeworks Tuggerah Store Business Manager Alice Baric thanked the community for its support.
“I would like to thank each and every customer and team member who contributed to this year’s appeal and supported The Smith Family’s Learning for Life sponsorship program and the vital work it does in enabling all Aussie children to have fair access to education,” she said.
The Back to School Appeal is part of Officeworks’ People and Planet Positive commitment to support 30,000 students by 2025.
Having already supported more than 40,000 students since 2020, and more than 16,000 Australian students in FY23 alone, Officeworks revised this goal to support 60,000 students by 2025.