Lions kickstart 2022 donation campaign at Ocean Grove hub

A GENEROUS donation of $5,000 by the Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads will go towards an Ocean Grove community hub’s annual immersion camps for children.

Members of the Bellarine Training and Community Hub (BTACH) were grateful to receive the donation from the local Lions Club.

“We are eternally grateful to the Lions Club for offering the donation,” BTACH manager Chris James said.

“It will make a huge difference and it has taken an enormous weight off our shoulders.”

Mr James said the Hub provides a peer group for young people in an environment where members can grow, flourish, feel safe and supported.

The Hub, located at 1 John Dory Drive, has a number of programs from accredited training courses to community education courses, but prides itself on its commitment to young people, which is best represented by its Youth Drop-In program.

Drop-In sessions are scheduled on Fridays between 6pm to 9pm for Grade 6 to Year 12 students.

“The money donated by the Lions Club will enable us to facilitate our annual camps for our Drop-In participants,” Mr James said.

“The camps are an Environmental Immersion camp that take place in the Otways and an Aboriginal Immersion camp that takes place in Halls Gap.

“Our kids spend no more than $50 to come on the camps in what is a safe and supportive environment with qualified facilitators and the funds given to us by the Lions will help cover the costs associated staffing, transport, accommodation and activities.”

Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads president Grant Hull said the club takes immense pride in providing these donations to local businesses and organisations.

“We’re giving a fair bit of money away this year, $35,700, with the funds to be used as these businesses see fit,” Mr Hull said.

“The work we do in the community is vitally important and donations are very high on our list of priorities, it’s one of the primary reasons we are here, and we will continue to work hard for the benefit of our community.”

To see more of what BTACH offers, head to www.btach.com.au/index.php.