2015 started with a BANG with the arrival of a collector’s pack to the Rockhampton office in late May, inspiring all staff to get into gear and start thinking up ideas and dares we can ask of Erica for a small donation. Thanks, Sea FM Central Queensland for making Erica the ambassador of Good Will for Give Me 5 for Kids, 2 years running.
The Give Me 5 for Kids’ collector pack.
And so it begins…
Proud bus driver Erica commissions a new bus sign, as the collector’s pack sign didn’t quite fit between the bus bull bars. Erica visited Signs at Yeppoon to get one printed. Turns out the generous people at Signs at Yeppoon donated their services to her and the Give Me 5 for Kids organisation. Thanks, Signs at Yeppoon!
The next step was to raise $500 to see Erica with bright pink hair to match her bus. Erica thinks this is achievable in one week and she is correct. Erica walks the Capricorn Coast to drum up support for her pink hair dare. On this occasion, Capricorn Coast business proved more than generous. Ben from the Zilzie Workshop in Emu Park, The Bell Park Bakery in Emu Park, Terry, Shirley and Shannon of Newspower Newsagency in Emu Park and Nicki and Tony of Capricorn Fruit Supplies also put their hand up to donate!!!!
During her first radio interview with Sea FM CQ, Todd and Banksy encouraged Erica to walk a few more kilometres on a treadmill while raising money, they delighted in cheering her on.
Todd and Banksy’s goal was to walk from the Yeppoon Hospital, past the Rockhampton Hospital and on to the Gladstone Hospital on a treadmill, during the airing of their breakfast show on weekdays through-out June. They succeeded in walking over 150 kilometres, raising $100 per km, with two days spare. Nice work Todd and Banksy!!!
Erica is cheered on by Todd from Sea FM.
Total fun and games produced some yard art at the Yeppoon bus depot displaying large type G M 5 F K, with Erica bucket in hand, ready to collect and it’s only June 4.
Hair at Wayne’s was booked and the first colour is applied and quite bright, as we had hoped for, to match Erica’s school bus. By June 5, $500 has been raised and pink hair is the result.
Through out the weekends of June Erica has been collecting along the Capricorn Coast, Bell Park Emu Park Markets, Causeway Markets, Yeppoon town centre and Rockhampton CBD.
During her weekdays Erica drives a school bus and encourages all of her passengers to dare her to wear a funny costume, or donate to her Give Me 5 for Kids bucket. Through out June every Young’s bus in Yeppoon also carried a Give Me 5 for Kids bucket for passenger donations, while a bucket and (Henry) bear mascot accompanied different Rockhampton bus drivers on different services to greet a variety of passengers.
Thanks Todd and Banksy!!!
For the “Dares for Donations” Erica has undertaken many costume changes, thanks to Bling Bling Costume Hire for your kind support during June. It must be noted that without Bling Bling Costume Hire, June would not be the funniest month of the year – the month where as a team, we can laugh, hard, at Erica in costumes.
Week 2 and a request was made by our Operations Manager Phil, to dress Erica up as Robin Hood. “That was fun”, Erica said. Another bus driver asked Erica to wear a Sponge-Bob Square-Pants outfit (fun for the kids) and yet another driver agreed to wear a Mickey Mouse costume while Erica wears the Mini Mouse costume. Seriously cool stuff Peter!! Dressing up as Bob Marley was Erica’s favourite outfit “getting the most attention and support in the Bob Marley outfit”.
Erica is a feature in the Young’s 65th Anniversary calendar for the month of June display’s her enthusiasm for her bus and the Give Me 5 for Kids campaign. How does Erica do it? Erica raises funds by making little trinkets, key rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces through out the year, for sale during the month of June. How else? Erica does a lot of talking; Erica will talk to anyone to who looks like they can spare 5 cents for the kids. Passion, enthusiasm and a smile usually does the trick.
Week 3 and Erica heads to the Rockhampton depot with a bunch of ideas, props and $150 in donation pledges, if she can convince Dave and Phil to dress up for the kids. Convincing the Young’s brothers was a piece of cake – anything for a laugh and to support the local community. The boys, Todd and Banksy, board the bus on Thursday June 25 to air their radio show live – a huge thrill for Erica, the passengers and even Banksy and Todd!!! Thanks fellas.
Hawaiian Shirt Day for Give Me 5 for Kids.
Hawaiian Shirt Day for Give Me 5 for Kids was celebrated on Monday, June 29 this year. Most of the Young’s fleet dressed up bright and bold, and those who didn’t gave donations to Give Me 5 for Kids. We all agree the Hawaiian shirt theme brightened everyone’s Monday and gave us a fun boost for the end of the month. Aloha!!
The final day of June and Erica heads to the Sea FM office in Rockhampton to hand over the heaviest collection buckets ever lifted! All counted and with a cheque from Young’s Management signed, sealed and delivered. The total amount raised by Erica and Young’s exceeded last year’s total of over $5000. The Sea FM total amount raised is still being counted (which is a good sign) and is said to total over $37,000
Thanks to all businesses and individuals in the community who have given their time, money and support to Give Me 5 for Kids!!!
