Last week Caltex Australia handed a cheque for more than $420,000 to Make-A-Wish Australia CEO Gerard Menses.
The donation was made using funds raised by Caltex Star Mart retailers, customers, suppliers and employees during the highly-successful Wish Drive held in November last year in which over 400 stores around Australia raise much-needed funds for the children’s charity. Caltex Star Mart customers showed their support by making gold coin donations or by purchasing selected products in-store. Many Caltex Star Mart stores also put on sausage sizzles, face painting for the kids, car washing and full driveway service in an effort to raise money.
Caltex Australia National Manager Consumer Sales Leo Pucar praised the generosity of all who contributed to the fundraising effort. “Thanks to the hard work and generosity of our Caltex Star Mart retailers, staff and customers, we achieved a wonderful result that will help grant the wishes of seriously-ill kids,” he said.
“Caltex Star Mart has a long history of supporting charities across Australia and we are very proud to have partnered again with Make-A-Wish Australia to help children in need,” Mr Pucar said.
Make-A-Wish Australia was thrilled with the outcome of the Wish Drive: “To raise over $420,000 is an incredible feat and we are sincerely grateful to all of the Caltex Star Mart customers who came out to support the Wish Drive, and also to those 400 plus stores who took part,” Mr Menses said.
“Without the generosity and support of organisations like Caltex Australia, we wouldn’t be able to grant life-changing wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. With the healing power that goes beyond that of medicine alone, a Make-A-Wish wish is an essential complement to a child’s medical treatment.”