Padman Stops gives back

Other top donations have included $1325 for Shake It Up Australia, $790 for Friends in Common, and $730 for the Stroke Foundation.

Each month, staff members pick a charity to donate the raffle proceeds, often one that is close to their hearts.

Beneficiaries have included healthcare charities, organisations helping support homeless people, and animal welfare organisations.

Padman Stops’ Imelda Padman said they started monthly charity raffles around Easter 2021, fundraising for the Good Friday Appeal.

“We said we’ll start with the Good Friday Appeal and they’ll nominate a charity each month going forwards,” she said, adding they soon decided to make it an ongoing donation effort.

“I think in your day-to-day we probably have good intentions to donate, but you don’t always have the opportunity.

“I think it’s great to give them the opportunity to donate ... when it’s close to someone’s heart, it’s meaningful to the group.”

Each monthly event is incredibly social, especially as people from each area of the large production site who work separately get to catch up for a friendly chat.

“I think it (the raffle and barbecue) gives them a nice sense of mateship, they can pat each other on the back as a team,” Imelda said.

“They’re part of something ... they probably feel like they’re making a difference in someone else’s life.”