For well over a decade, the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation has donated to charities like the RCH Foundation for one very important reason – connection.
Since its inception in 2005, the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation has worked hard to support causes in their business footprint to create a better future. According to Kerryn Donchi, the organisation’s Foundation Coordinator, their mission is to create a concrete difference in the lives of their neighbours.
“It’s all about supporting and connecting with the community, just as they support us in business,” she shared.
The Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation has donated over $140,000 to help sick and vulnerable children at the RCH through initiatives like Foundation Day and their small grants programme.
“Foundation Day is our major annual fundraiser where each of our offices donates the proceeds from an auction to a local organisation,” Kerryn explained.
“The RCH Foundation has been a recipient of Foundation Day proceeds over many years. These funds have gone to a variety of different programs and to supporting different wards,” she added.
Kerryn believes that these donations have the potential to foster a sense of connection and commitment. By generously supporting wards that have affected staff within the business, the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation is letting their team know just how deeply they care for one another.
“When we’ve selected bed sponsorship, we’ve selected beds in wards where we’ve had families impacted, such as the oncology ward. We want to support families and our own families as well when they need to use the facilities at the RCH,” she said.
Aside from oncology, the organisation has generously supported areas across the hospital including neuroscience, endocrinology, mental health and more.
Outside of this generosity, the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation has also volunteered for the RCH – from toy sorting during Christmas to volunteering auctioneers for the RCH’s famous art trail. These efforts have not only enhanced their team’s sense of purpose but also deepened their connection to the cause.
“We love volunteering, and one of our favourite activities is toy sorting at Christmas. This year, we’re coming in to write thank you cards for those who are leaving donations in their Wills,” said Kerryn.
Next year, the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation will be supporting the Chronic Illness Peer Support group, also known as ChIPS.
“As we’ve tried to diversify our giving, we’ve decided to look at ChIPS’s camping program to help longer- term patients within the hospital system,”
Kerryn shared.
The Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation is extremely proud of not just the impact they have made on children and families, but for also being able to foster a sense of connection and purpose throughout their offices.
“When our staff members and their families are at the RCH, they can see touchpoints where Nelson Alexander exists. I think they all have a real sense of commitment and connection to the hospital as well as to the company,” Kerryn emphasised.