As part of its strategic plan for the SILMO Sydney exhibition, the organisers will be donating a percentage of the turnover towards children’s eye research.
The charities will be selected by an advisory committees and funds raised will be distributed via a trust being established for that purpose.
“It is just our way of giving back to kids in need, and kids are the future,” Mr Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director of co-organiser of the event, Expertise Events, said on 29 February. SILMO Paris is the other co-organiser of the event.”Exhibitors’ participation automatically supports this initiative,” Mr Fitz-Roy said.
The SILMO Sydney exhibition to be held at the International Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour on 9-12 March 2017.
The yet-to-be-named trust will be along similar lines to the 2016 Craft for Kids Foundation, which has generated immediate support from the craft industry.
The Craft for Kids Foundation is for the collection and distribution of craft supplies, to give to charities for children in their care to use in craft activities.
Mr Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director of Expertise Events said: “Craft allows children to explore their creativity and is pure expression through their eyes with no rules or boundaries. The materials they work with are tactile, colourful and varied and provide children of all capacities to explore and have the satisfaction of making something as a gift or to keep.
“I am thrilled with the immediate support from our partners and exhibitors, including our logistics supplier Agility, and media production company Jingletown offering their support without hesitation; it is very gratifying.”
The Craft for Kids Foundation will donate craft supplies to charities that care for Australian children who are physically, otionally, financially or geographically disadvantaged. In addition, Expertise Events, craft experts Judy Newman and Marianne Roberts are planning to go on location and conduct workshops with children two to four times per year.
“Our commitment is greater than just a monetary donation, we want to make a difference and touch the community. This project has been a long time in development and is about real national coverage and difference,” Mr Fitz-Roy said.
The idea for Craft for Kids Foundation was announced in October 2015 and the first donations will be accepted at the Sydney Stitches & Craft Show in Rosehill in March. Event visitors and exhibitors alike are invited to bring in their unwanted craft supplies and place th in the special Craft for Kids Foundation area at the show. Donations will be stored in Expertise Events’ warehouse then delivered to charities once or twice yearly, as agreed.
Charities supported by Craft for Kids Foundation include Variety Club NSW, The Smith Family, Royal Far West Children’s Home, BoysTown and Stewart House.
Acceptable craft its include yarn, fabric, paper, lace, glue, braid, craft tools and bellishments. Its that won’t be accepted include money, unfinished projects, knitting needles, crochet hooks or pattern books.
Anyone can take along their unwanted craft supplies to the next Expertise Events craft event and place it in the special Craft for Kids Foundation box.
Donations can also be posted to Craft for Kids Foundation, Expertise Events, PO Box 6053, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086.
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