KidzWish enjoy playing a part in helping children and their families. At the end of year, we publish Year in Review Reports in order to detail the outcomes related to all of KidzWish's programs and fundraisers. These highlights are used to shape future plans for the following year and are published for complete transparency. On behalf of all the children and families we support - THANK YOU!
Our year in review
2017 really was a year of amazing milestones at KidzWish. Thanks to you, 8000 KidzWish Kidz benefited from a KidzWish Program! That’s a lot of smiling faces across the Illawara and South Coast. There was star entertainment at our annual KidzWish Children’s Christmas Party. Santa was all at sea when he visited 4300 children and carers waiting at WIN Entertainment Centre. But thanks to Mrs Claus and Wollongong lifeguards he was soon given a big warm Wollongong welcome escorted by lifesavers to the biggest kids party of the year. Run with the help of 400 business/student volunteers the party is always met with eager anticipation and big smiles by the thousands for children.
Speaking of love and laughter, our Sports Academy and Music & Dance Programs were close to full capacity. Over 1200 hours were dedicated to helping children shine through recreational activities that improve independence and confidence. Last year, we supported 56 children through these programs! For 7-year-old Ari, the KidzWish Sports Academy Program has provided him to be part of a wheelchair basketball team. Weekly training teaches the kids to work together, communicate, challenge themselves and have fun.
And last year, our KidzWish Speech Pathologist, Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapists spent over 2000 hours providing essential early intervention services to 741 children in their everyday environments. KidzWish also proudly partnered with the Illawarra Hawks to deliver the Healthy Habits program. Together we increased awareness about the importance of individual health and how to apply healthy habits to everyday life in an inclusive environment for primary school students across the Illawarra. 19 schools were delivered Healthy Habits to 2479 students. 63 of those students were disadvantaged, 48 of those students were disabled and 21 of those students were sick.
Thanks to our generous community donating Christmas gifts, in 2017 the KidzWish Fairy visited children in Wollongong Hospital Children’s Wards and spent over 100 hours in the community bringing joy to families.
KidzWish would like to thank our supporters who attended our annual charity ball, bridge2bridge charity walk, bowls day, trivia night, KidzWish day and motorcycle charity ride fundraising events. You are the life blood of what we do and with more children joining our programs, we need as many helping hands that we can get.