By Derek Schlennstedt
The Halloween on the Green event, organised by the Philanthropic Collective at Ferny Creek has once again exceeded expectations.
This year’s event raised $10,500, all of which went back to the community.
The Philanthropic Collective proudly presented cheques to the beneficiaries of this year’s event, though Philanthropic Collective treasurer, Fabian Fillip-Gautier reminded the Mail that the money was only a small part of what the event was about.
“For us, Halloween and the heart of Halloween and where we get our passion from is to give families the opportunity to take part in Halloween, and families that wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford it can come and bring their kids.”
“Every year I see beautiful things happening, and this year I saw a family with two young boys near the rides, and the kids were jumping up and down wanting to go one. The parents were not arguing, but were debating whether they could go and wanted to know how much it was, and I just said ‘it’s free.’
“It was very precious to see the look in the kids face and relief in the parents face as well.”
“This event is a day where dad and mum don’t have to say no, and where the kids, they don’t have to ask why?”
Of the funds raised, Ferny Creek Tennis Club, Ferny Creek Reserve Committee of Management, and Olinda Primary School received $500 each.
The 1st Creek Scouts received $1000, while the Hills Home Schooling Community, Sassafras Primary School, Ferny Creek Primary School and Sassafras Pre School each received $2000.
Over the very short history of the event, the Philanthropic Collective have raised and given back to the community over thirty thousand dollars.
Speaking to the Mail, the 1st Ferny Creek Scouts Cub scout leader Guido Gelock said the money would go a long way in ensuring the scouting groups remained inclusive of everyone.
“Getting money like this is amazing,” Ms Gelock said.
“We’re a volunteer organisation, so we have to find the money to buy tents and shelters for camping, and this money enables us to make it an inclusive activity, as we’re not setting a bar and saying you have to have your own equipment and we can also continue to keep our fees low for more people to join.”
The Philanthropic Collective are already planning another big Halloween on the Green with the holiday falling on 31 October, 2020.
