22.06.2007 – masoniCare, the philanthropic arm of NSW and ACT Freemasons, has made a $5,000 grant to HIPPY La Perouse, a program designed to prepare children for school.

The grant is part of masoniCare’s Regional Grants program, which provides $130,000 to 26 local community organisations across NSW and ACT each year. To be eligible for funding organisations must be nominated by the local Masonic community.

HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) operates out of La Perouse Primary School and provides a two year home based parenting and early childhood program that works with indigenous, non indigenous and/or economically disadvantaged families.

Through HIPPY parents work with Home Tutors and learn how to assist their children in becoming ready for school. During the course the Home Tutors demonstrate structured activities for the week and provide an easy to use ‘activity pack’ to the participating mothers.

Sherri Longbottom, co-ordinator of the HIPPY La Perouse program, thanked the Freemasons of NSW and ACT for the donation, saying, “Your support of the HIPPY La Perouse program is much appreciated and it will go a long way in helping kids get ready for school. For a variety of reasons some children need a little extra help in adapting to normal schooling and this program develops the necessary skills so they can hit the ground running.”

She said, “I would like to thank the Freemasons of the Eastern Suburbs for nominating HIPPY La Perouse for this grant, otherwise it would not have happened.”

Harold Gold, representing the Eastern Suburbs Freemasons, congratulated HIPPY on its work in the community saying, “We are very pleased to be able to support the great work undertaken by HIPPY La Perouse. It is not always an equal playing field when children start school however initiatives such as this go a long way in reducing the risk of kids being left behind”.

Harold continued, “Freemasonry is all about helping our fellow man and this program embodies that very principle”. 

Paul Foster, masoniCare’s Regional Representative for the Sydney City Region, also added, “masoniCare was established to give our members a means to be involved in the community. It’s great to see our funds helping grass roots organisations such as HIPPY”.