Volunteers gifted: Colin Atwood, Nouhad Hourani, Michelle Rowland, John Fernandes and Derek Margerison welcome a volunteer grant.
Blacktown volunteer organisations will receive a share in $16 million funding through the federal government’s volunteer grants program.
Greenway federal MP Michelle Rowland announced the grant recipients on Friday and said they would help groups who work selflessly to support their community.
Organisations to receive up to $5000 for equipment and to help subsidise volunteers’ fuel costs include Carevan Blacktown and Kings Langley Lions Club.
“We know that volunteers like the Kings Langley Lions Club give their time, energy and expertise to support our community and I would like to especially commend the club for the great work they are doing in cleaning up graffiti in Lalor Park,” Ms Rowland said.
Volunteers contribute about $14.6 billion to the non-profit sector each year, Ms Rowland said.
“Grants will also help with the transport costs of volunteers with a disability who are unable to drive and need to use public transport or taxis as part of their volunteering role,’’ she said.
Blacktown’s grant recipients were:
● Kings Langley Lions Club
● Carevan Blacktown
● Basic Skills College
● South Sudan Women’s Choir
● WIRES North West Branch
● St John’s Ambulance — Blacktown Youth Division
● Parent Support Group — 202 Army Cadet Unit
● Sikh Khalsa Mission Inc.
● The Western Suburbs Haven Inc.