By JOLENE OGLE
THE wait is finally over for local charity Sunshine Butterflies who have returned from Sydney with a massive $50,000 cheque from Dick Smith.
Sunshine Butterflies entered the Dick Smith giveaway last year, where all entrants were required to snap a photo of their families and friends with Dick Smith products and send it to the company.
The two organisations with the most photos submitted by the December deadline would each take home $50,000 for their charity.
The funding was the second round of cash giveaways for local organisations, with Dick Smith donating $510,000 to 38 charities in July.
This second round of donations went to 37 different organisations, who shared in a total cash prize pool of $500,000.
Sunshine Butterflies came in second behind Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation, who both took home $50,000.
Next in line was Can Too Foundation, For the Animals Inc, Mama Lana Community Foundation, Heart to Heart and Northside Enterprise, who all took home $20,000 each.
Sunshine Butterflies founder Leanne Walsh said the winnings would be used to develop the Our Backyard hobby farm project at their Cooroibah property.
The hobby farm will be used as a therapy centre to help support kids, teens and young adults with disabilities.
Now the charity has secured extra funding to help with the building of the farm, the next item on the wishlist is a ride-on-mower to help keep the therapy centre looking good.
Local Michelle Davis, along with Sunshine Butterflies, have launched a raffle to help raise funds for the ride-on-mower.
Tickets are $2 each and the raffle will be drawn on 31 March, with all funds raised to go towards buying a ride-on-mower.
Generous local businesses have kindly donated the prizes including a three-night getaway at Bali Hai resort, Noosa, for first prize, followed by a $100 pamper voucher for Adrian J Hairdressers, Sunshine Beach, and third prize is a delicious $25 voucher for Dukes Deli, Sunshine Beach.
“People have a one in 2500 chance to win, so the odds are good,” Michelle said.
Anyone who would like to buy a ticket can contact Sunshine Butterflies on 5470 2830.
