Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Tuesday, 8 July, 2014. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Have a Cuppa 4 Our Kids

Posted on Tuesday 8th of July, 2014,

This August don’t be surprised if you hear the clinking of tea cups, the smell of freshly baked scones and the chatter of voices when you walk into a local business across Greater Shepparton.

August is ‘A Cuppa 4 Our Kids’ month – an initiative of The Greater Shepparton Community Literacy Workgroup to raise funds for the local book bag program. Workplaces of all kinds across the municipality are encouraged to hold a morning tea event for staff and ask for a gold coin donation from those attending.

The event aims to raise funds for the local Best Start Book Bag program which provides a book bag full of early literacy resources to babies and children aged 4 weeks, 8 months, 18 months and 3 ½ years through their Maternal and Child Health nurse.

This is the fourth year ‘A Cuppa 4 Our Kids’ has been held and the support for it is definitely growing. Workplaces like primary schools, banks, milk bars and family support agencies are all signing up and the Community Literacy workgroup hopes to top the 30 registrations from last year.

Greater Shepparton Mayor Jenny Houlihan said the book bag program was an important local program which has significant benefit for young children.

“Last year more than 2600 book bags were distributed to children through the Greater Shepparton Maternal and Child Health service and local family support services,” Cr Houlihan said.

“The bags include a story book, nursery rhyme and activity sheets, parent information booklet and library information. By providing these book bags we hope to encourage parents and carers to be reading to their children right from birth, and that they understand the importance of early reading and language development.

“Every dollar counts. Whether you are able to raise $10 from your morning tea event or $100, it all goes towards ensuring children receive their four book bags.”

The program has been operating for more than eight years and now relies solely on donations from the local community and funding bodies to continue.

If you would like to register your workplace for ‘A Cuppa 4 Our Kids’ and hold a morning tea event during the month of August please contact Greater Shepparton City Council on (03) 5832 9700 for more information and to obtain ‘A Cuppa 4 Our Kids’ information package.