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Hollywood star Paul Newman's $1 million helping hand
29 September 2005
WHEN $1 million is up for grabs, everyone wants a slice – and 22 Victorian charities have been included in a big cash carve-up.
Hollywood star Paul Newman revealed the $1 million charity give-away in the Herald Sun in May, and the response was phenomenal.
More than 700 organisations applied for a share of the cash, raised by the Paul Newman Foundation through the sale of Paul Newman's Own salad dressings and pasta sauces.
Chosen charities received grants from $4500 to $21,000, with plenty of Victorians set to benefit.
Melbourne-based non-profit organisation The Song Room scored $20,000 to help disadvantaged kids participate in music and arts.
Kids with recent immigrant status are a focus for The Song Room, and classes are under way for newly arrived Sudanese families at Noble Park English Language School.
Fundraising manager Jenny Ryssenbeek said the grant would allow The Song Room to take workshops to primary schools in the drought-stricken Wimmera region.
"We recently conducted a performance for the primary schools in that area, which the kids and teachers were rapt with," Mrs Ryssenbeek said. "We're intending to follow that up with a workshop artist, who will deliver the classes in conjunction with the school community.
"We are really trying to address the dearth of experienced and qualified music teachers going into country areas."
The drought was a big factor for choosing the area, Mrs Ryssenbeek said. "Because of the drought, many parents can't afford to send kids to district centres for art and music performances that do come through," she said.
"We've really targeted more remote rural areas that have been hit dramatically by the drought."
Other organisations, including Heartkids Victoria, the National SIDS Council and the Mirabel Foundation are using funds for education, equipment and activities for children.
Life-skills education centre Typo Station in Wangaratta was given $15,000 by the foundation after fundraisers read about the grants in the Herald Sun.
The money will pay for sleeping bags, backpacks and thermal underwear for teenage boys in the mentoring program.
In the past 21 years, the Paul Newman Foundation has given away more than $9 million to Australian charities.
Source: HeraldSun
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