Mar-21 Melbourne: Jewish Care Festival of Fun
Volunteers Band Together to Create a Festival of Family Fun
Driven by a desire to make a difference, Jewish Care volunteers Kylie Appel and Romy Bursztyn have created a day of delight for hundreds of families who will be attending Jewish Care’s first Family Fun Day.
The colossal event will be one of Melbourne’s largest in terms of both scale and attendance. To be held at Bialik College (429 Auburn Road, East Hawthorn) on Sunday, 21 March from 10am to 3:30pm, Family Fun Day’s star-filled line-up includes children’s celebrities Bob the Builder TM, Angelina Ballerina TM and Ben 10 TM as well as magician Luigi Zucchini, Circus Oz workshops, Dance Heads, carnival rides, kosher food stalls, and performances by Dov Farkas, school groups and more.
The idea for a family event in support of Jewish Care began to take shape about a year ago, when Appel and Bursztyn were exploring volunteering opportunities where they could make a difference to the local community.
The duo contacted Jewish Care’s development team and commenced a conversation about how to get involved. Together with Jewish Care staff, and backed by a dynamic organising committee, a community-wide festival in support of Jewish Care’s vital work with young people and children evolved.
“The work that Jewish Care does for children and young people is close to my heart,” Bursztyn explained. “Much of the work that Jewish Care does, including aged care, community support and disability services, helps to strengthen families. And strong and healthy families make for strong and healthy kids.”
“Family Fun Day is just another example of the way the organisation cares for the whole community,” Appel added. “We hope it will help raise the visibility of Jewish Care in our community, and encourage other people to get involved.”
“The value of tzedakah is very important in our community,” Appel added. “It teaches our children to make a difference in any way we can. The Jewish community needs our support and if we can improve the lives of local families and young children, we are very privileged.”
The vision and passion of the Family Fun Day organisers has rallied a huge range of support from individuals and businesses including Platinum Donor Greg Rosshandler and family, and Gold Sponsors ANZ Bank, Audi Centre Brighton, Steve Bedwell, Bialik College, Entertainment Store Group, Futuretronics, HardHat Digital, Jagen, Legend, Omnigraphics and Royce Hotel.
President Bruce Rosengarten gives credit to the organisers and supporters who have helped make Family Fun Day a reality. “We are so grateful that these two resourceful young women made the call to Jewish Care. They have brought together hundreds of members of our wonderful community to create an outstanding event in support of Jewish Care’s vital work with young people and children.”
“And just as importantly,” Rosengarten continued, “It sets an incredible and inspiring model of partnership and communal engagement. The Family Fun Day is the inspiration of just two people — just imagine what hundreds can achieve for our community if we put our minds to it?”
“Family Fun Day really reflects the spirit of partnership which makes ‘My Community. My Choice.’ a reality,” Rosengarten concluded.
Every year more than 300 passionate and dedicated volunteers of all ages and walks of life help Jewish Care provide its services to the community. Volunteer activities include home visits, providing transport, mentoring young people, running fundraising events and serving on the board.
For more information on volunteering opportunities, please contact Jacque Robinson on 8517 5700.
Pre-sale General Entry tickets are available from $10. To purchase tickets online or for further information regarding Jewish Care’s Family Fun Day, go to Jewish Care’s website www.jewishcare.org.au/ffd.
All proceeds from the day support Jewish Care’s work with young people and children. For more information about out how you can support Jewish Care, please contact the Development Team on 8517 5963.
