The social responsibility of being in business

I am a firm believer in giving back to the community. I think that every successful business has a social responsibility to support the community in which they achieved their success. Now this can take many forms from community committees to professional affiliations, but the premise is the same – giving time or funds to better develop the communities in our region.

My children have grown up with a very annoying mother (apparently) who has dragged them kicking and screaming to many community fundraising initiatives. From the age of three, they were told to go into their rooms at Christmas and pick three toys to give to someone who doesn’t have any. My mother asked the same of me. We need to show the next generation the joy of giving and we have many amazing organisations in our region who set a great example, however more often than not, you never hear about it.

The Mackay Community Foundation is on such organisation and it wasn’t until I had the privilege of joining the board that I realised the impact they have in our region. This organisation raises money to support projects, activities and charities that sustain our region’s most needy and delivers annual grants to support these initiatives. Each year, the Mackay Community Foundation awards grants to worthy charities to deliver projects that support community initiatives. You never hear about this as they are doing it for the right reasons, rather than to take credit.

As a business, we support the Mackay Community Foundation as their impact in our region is significant and they make a real difference to those in our region who need additional support. As a region, we need to support the most vulnerable in the community and the greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

For more information about the Mackay Community Foundation – www.mackaycommunityfoundation.com.au