The Crows Foundation has announced three new partnerships for 2014, marking $1,000,000 donated by the official charity arm of the Adelaide Football Club.
Since its inception in 2005, the Crows Foundation has worked tirelessly with charities across South Australia to support children in need. Crows Foundation Chairman Keith Conlon said it’s a great moment for the Club and all of the members of the Crows family, who have helped to raise the funds for many important projects to help children in need in SA.
"That includes the players who bring a lot of joy when they get involved," Conlon said.
"It is a milestone to build on so the Adelaide Football Club can do even more for our community."
This year, the Crows Foundation’s major partner will be Variety, the Children's Charity. The $50,000 donated will sponsor the ‘Show of Hearts’ scholarship program, which helps SA children to pursue their dreams whether it be in the sports, arts or academic arena.
Variety SA CEO Mark McGill said Variety SA was extremely proud and honoured to be the principle charity partner of the Adelaide Football Club for Season 2014.
"The Crows have a proud history of supporting children in need in our community and this will continue through fostering the ambition, ability and dreams of the children in our ‘Show of Hearts’ Scholarship program," McGill said.
Twenty-seven disadvantaged children will receive the Variety scholarship this year, including eight-year-old Jorja Van der Hoek, who is a budding young vision-impaired ballerina.
Jorja was born prematurely at 26 weeks, resulting in a number of conditions including vision impairment, gastronomy and chronic lung disease.
Jorja’s mother Kylie Van der Hoek said her daughter was happiest when dancing.
“The Scholarship will help Jorja on many levels," Mrs Van der Hoek said.
"The scholarship will help to develop her technique for ballet, but more importantly allow Jorja to continue to develop in a social context."
Crows player Taylor Walker was on hand on Monday to see some of Jorja's ballet moves first hand.
"She's a courageous and inspiring young girl," Walker said.
"It's fabulous to see first-hand how our charity the Crows Foundation helps children like Jorja in everyday life.
"It's certainly a milestone to celebrate for the Crows Foundation and I am so proud to have been actively involved in the work of the Crows Foundation over recent years."
The Variety ‘Show of Hearts’ program has granted over $325,000 in scholarships and helped over 95 children since 2009.
On Monday, March 24, an awards ceremony for the 2014 ‘Show of Hearts’ scholarship recipients will be held at the Adelaide Football Club.
The Crows Foundation will also this year contribute $16,500 to Operations Flinders which will fund an eight-day camp in the northern Flinders Ranges in March for "at risk" youth.
The third nominated charity is Down Syndrome SA. The Crows Foundation will provide $15,000 towards their “Club Jungle’ weekly program which will host 100 Down syndrome children aged 5-13 years in a gymnasium.
The children will jump into foam pits, swing from ropes etc, with the focus on fitness and confidence.
Charities to benefit from Crows Foundation $1,000,000 in funding over the past nine years include: Canteen, Starlight Foundation, Asthma Foundation, Leukaemia Foundation, The Smith Family, Save the Children, Red Cross Breakfast Club, JDRF, Foundation 21, Bluearth, Big Brother Big Sister, Camp Quality, Cora Barclay Foundation, Cranio Facial Australia and Arthritis SA.
