Since the business was founded in 2016, director and sales agent Janelle Puppa said she knew she wanted to give back to the community.
“Our approach is simple: for every sale made over a six-month period, we set aside $50,” Ms Puppa said.
“At the end of that period, the total amount is donated to a nominated community group.”
Over the years, the business has donated these funds to a huge range of local sporting clubs and organisations, including Hilldene Fire Brigade, Gnarly Neighbours, the Seymour Football Netball Club and many more.
In March, after no nominations for an organisation or club had been received, Ms Puppa took to the real estate’s social media accounts, announcing a new way to spread the money collated over the latest six-month period locally.
“At a time when no specific groups had reached out and fuel prices had risen significantly, we introduced a new initiative — providing 10 $100 fuel vouchers to those in need,” Ms Puppa said.
“Recipients were nominated and included individuals facing a range of challenges, from those requiring to travel for medical appointments to young people balancing full-time work, study and difficult home circumstances.
“The vouchers were distributed across both of our offices in Seymour and Tatura and were very well received. We chose fuel vouchers specifically in response to the rising cost of living.”
Seymour Health nominated two of its palliative care patients who travel regularly for treatment.
One travels almost daily to Melbourne, while the other travels to Shepparton, both racking up kilometres at their own expense.
Seymour Health palliative care and district nursing acting nurse unit manager Skye Symons said the support was a financial reprieve for the patients.
“We do as much as we can, but there are a lot of costs on regional people that people don’t take into consideration when you live in a metropolitan area, where you can jump on a tram or train,” she said.
“Regionally, you’re reliant on driving and fuel. Sometimes they’ll drive three hours for an appointment.
“Every little bit helps, and if it means, for a couple of days, they don’t have to think about where their fuel budget is coming from, then it’s two days of a bit of relief that they have to concentrate on their treatment.”
She said it was great that a local business was spotlighting and supporting an often overlooked aspect of healthcare.
“We’re eternally grateful for (Ms Puppa) looking at the smaller, hidden aspects of health that are not always seen publicly,” Ms Symons said.
“The feedback we got from the two clients was that they were very, very grateful.”
Ms Puppa said it was rewarding to be able to give back in this way.
“For us, giving back is simply a way of saying thank you to the community that has supported our agency,” she said.
“Even the smallest gesture can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.”
13°C