A $100,000 gift came as a welcome handout to 14 community organisations, that without the donations, may not be able to expand their valuable and much-needed projects.
This year's recipients of the IMB Bank Shire Community Foundation accepted their financial gifts with open arms at Wanda Surf Club on Tuesday morning.
The groups are all non-profits, which will greatly benefit from the foundation's gesture.
Recipients include the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, a child pedestrian road safety initiative.
The foundation will work with Sutherland Shire Council on a child pedestrian safety campaign. This includes colourful and eye-catching signage which will be featured around busy places including beaches and will serve as a timely reminder to parents, carers and drivers to keep a look-out.
Chief executive and founder of the Little Blue Dinosaur, Michelle McLaughlin, established the charity in 2014 following the tragic death of her four-year-old son in a road accident at Macmaster's Beach.
Since then, she and her husband David have campaigned tirelessly for child pedestrian road safety throughout Australia.
The donation will go towards improved safety signage around beaches and busy hotspots in Sutherland Shire, where there is high holiday pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
"Little Blue Dinosaur works with local councils around Australia to make our holiday areas safer for families and children," Mrs LcLaughlin said.
"Our beautiful son Tom was tragically taken from us at age four, but we know the legacy of our little boy will shine through and be realised in the continual work of the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation.
"The support of IMB Bank's Shire Community Foundation is so important in helping us get the message out there to families in the area, and preventing any other family going through what we experienced."
Also on the gift list was Top Blokes Foundation, which provides mentoring and support for teenage boys. It has been supported by IMB since inception in 2006 and the extra money means the program can grow to reach primary school children.
Managing director of Top Blokes, Melissa Abu-Gazaleh, says 24 boys aged between 10-13 years will benefit from the 'Stepping Up' program.
"Each week, boys will be in a safe environment to talk about issues that may be affecting them including mental health, peer pressure and bullying," she said.
"[We] don't receive government funding so this means that more boys will be given guidance to help them as they transition into their teenage years."
The Shire Community Foundation was established in 2016, when the Sutherland Credit Union merged with IMB Bank, with a pledge to donate $100,000 a year for three years to community groups and charities in the shire.
The 2019 funding round brings the total donations to the shire to $300,000.
IMB Bank chief executive Robert Ryan praised recipients, and thanked them for their dedication and determination to assist in the communities in which they live.
"IMB Bank is very proud of the Shire Community Foundation, and what we've been able to achieve in just three years," Mr Ryan said.
"It is an honour to reflect on the partnerships we have formed with people and organisations in the community who dedicate their time and effort to creating a better life for others.
"The Shire Community Foundation committee visits each shortlisted project to assess them and we are always humbled and amazed at the dedication and commitment of community members to help others.
"It is a real pleasure to be able to allocate funds to these organisations announced today, so they can continue to grow and develop their resources."
There also to congratulate recipients was Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce and NSW Australian of the Year, Sophie Smith.
PROJECTS REWARDED
Look Good Feel Better, Cronulla - To fund more patients who have cancer with workshops to help re-build their confidence in managing side effects.
Heart Start, Cronulla - To provide a defibrillator and first aid kit for the Bundeena Men's Shed and Bundeena Bowling Club.
It's Holiday Time - Slow Down Kids Around, Cronulla - Expand funding to another area of high risk busy pedestrian zone.
Portable Radio, Engadine - To fund portable radios for fire activity and search information.
Engadine Rural Fire Brigade - To install security cameras to make station vandal-proof.
PPC Lockers and Laundry, Menai - To provide a secure storage space for firefighters where it is safe from insects and dust to protect health of volunteers.
Cafe Y, Menai - To purchase equipment and rejuvenate the existing space of Project Youth initiative that runs a hospitality training program.
Pyscho-education resources for kids, Kookaburra Kids, Miranda - To expand resilience program to complement mental health early intervention.
SCAD Resource Kits, Miranda - Improve education of early diagnosis of heart attacks for patients.
New Horizons Community Band, Sutherland - To continue to perform regularly in nursing homes and to conduct larger and free concerts.
Minerva School, Sutherland - Improve access of resources for children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, especially sensory and therapy products.
Wellness Activities for Older Women, Sutherland - To pay trainers and extend classes including Tai Chi and meditation for pensioners and retirees.
Stander for Children with Disability, Sylvania - Purchase mobility equipment for children with severe disabilities at Sylvanvale's Mikarie Child Care Centre to promote independence and inclusion.
Stepping Up - Shire Rollout, Sylvania - Top Blokes Foundation mentoring program for young high school males to expand into primary schools.
