Thanks to the support of its customers and stores, national community pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores has achieved its two year fundraising target for worthwhile non-profit organisation Assistance Dogs Australia in just one year.
One of the largest fundraising commitments made by the pharmacy group, Discount Drug Stores has now donated $27,000 to Assistance Dogs Australia, helping the charity to provide one fully trained Assistance Dog to an Australian with a disability.
Now about to begin sponsoring a second puppy, Volunteer Charities Coordinator at Discount Drug Stores Sharyn Clark says the incredible result is all due to the group’s 112 stores’ strong and on-going commitment to the cause.
“We had an overwhelming response from our stores last year,” she said, “so much so that this year, we’re setting in place even more charity events and opportunities that involve our store owners, staff and the community.”
Assistance Dogs Australia has provided much needed support to hundreds of Australians with a disability for over 16 years through its Assistance Dogs that are trained to help their owners with their daily activities and to signal for help when they’re in trouble.
Assistance Dogs are specially trained to allow people who require a wheelchair to access community with only the aid of their special dog. Assistance dogs can perform a number of different tasks from helping their owner to get in and out of their wheelchair, to opening and closing doors, picking up dropped items, pushing traffic light buttons and alert barking in emergency situations.
However with each dog taking $27,000 to train and the charity not receiving any government funding, the organisation relies solely on the generosity of the public.
It’s one of the key reasons why Discount Drug Stores specifically selected Assistance Dogs Australia to be one of its two key charities with Mrs Clark stating they felt compelled to help ensure the organisation could continue to provide its invaluable service.
“Community is an essential part of everything we do at Discount Drug Stores,” she said, “and we wanted to support an organisation that had the directive to further improve the overall health of our community.
“As a result of Assistance Dogs Australia’s highly trained dogs, which are given to those in need completely free of charge, Australians with disabilities are given life-changing freedom and independence,” Mrs Clark continued. “They not only allow them greater mobility in their lives but they also offer true companionship as well.”
Top Dog at Assistance Dogs Australia Richard Lord adds he is incredibly thankful for Discount Drug Stores’ contribution and dedication to the charity.
“We have had a great year partnering with Discount Drug Stores and have loved being involved in their store openings and their staff events,” said Mr Lord. “Their help during our national fundraising month Dogtober was phenomenal and went a long way to raising the funds needed to train their first dog Dee Dee who is now well on track to becoming an Assistance Dog.
“We’re really looking forward to working together with them in the years to come,” he continued. “Through Discount Drug Stores continuing to sponsor our dogs, we’ll be able to assist even more people with disabilities across the country.”
Discount Drug Stores presented its final cheque for its first puppy, which the customers and stores owners named Dee Dee, at the beginning of the year, with fundraising events already well underway to raise money for its second puppy.
Mrs Clark states a special charity auction held at Discount Drug Stores’ recent national conference that was attended by 350 store owners and employees, has already got the brand off to a good start.
“We’ve already raised over $12,000 for our second puppy who we’ll again let our customers name,” she said, “and we’ve got plenty more events planned where our customers can get involved too, including celebrating Assistance Dogs Australia’s annual Dogtober event. So we encourage everyone to get involved.”
To participate or contribute to Discount Drug Stores’ fundraising campaign for Assistance Dogs Australia, customers can leave a donation in authorised collection tins which are available at Discount Drug Store pharmacies all year round, or make a secure online donation through the Assistance Dogs Australia website.
Special catalogue promotions are also run throughout the year with .50c to $1 from selected products bought donated to Assistance Dogs Australia. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au/charity.
Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406 or s.ross@graymedia.com.au
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