Special volunteers from GE Money help Ipswich Library

6 June 2012

COMMUNITY spirit proved to be alive and well this week as GE Money volunteers converged today on the Ipswich Library.

Each year to demonstrate GE Money's commitment to building a stronger and more vibrant community, all branches across Australia close their doors to take part in a supportive and selfless initiative.

For the ninth year, more than 500 GE Money branches across Australia swapped financial services for community service today as part of Branch Community Day.

The company's 119 branches have taken part in 48 community projects across Australia in a range of settings including schools, retirement homes, community centres, libraries and other charity organisations.

Ipswich City Council Tourism and Libraries Committee Chairperson Councillor David Pahlke said the Ipswich Library was among the 2012 lucky recipients in the Ipswich area of this generous act.

"Eight members of the Ipswich and Springfield branches of GE Money, including both branch managers, gathered at the library today to help prepare resources for its community programs," Cr Pahlke said.

"Work done by GE volunteers will directly benefit the delivery of 2012 National Year of Reading initiatives, upcoming School Holiday Program activities and events and the Friends of the Ipswich Library Service's Books for Babies project.

"As a further magnanimous gesture, they have also donated $460 worth of musical instruments to be used in the Library's Baby Rhyme Time program.

"Baby Rhyme time is an early literacy program for parents of babies aged from birth to 18 months. 

"It was introduced in 2008 with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of sharing rhyme, song and stories with children from a very early age, and assisting parents and carers to develop valuable skills in this area."

Cr Pahlke said the real winners here were the Ipswich community.

"This is a real example of meaningful community engagement and we thank GE Money for including the Ipswich Library and Information Service in this special initiative."

Last year in Australia, GE Money employees donated around 2200 volunteering hours across a range of community partner programs for Branch Community Day.

-ENDS-