The Board and the whole team would like to congratulate Jerry, a highly valued member of our team, who was recently presented with a much deserved, Community Recognition Award – Outstanding Local Volunteer Award, by our local NSW Member of Parliament, Gareth Ward.

Jerry began volunteering with us around 5 years ago, after learning about our vital work with vulnerable young people, from his son Ben. Ben had already joined our team and has done so much in guiding, advising, and setting up our IT including our email. Fortunately for us, not only has Ben continued to work behind the scenes with our IT, but he also introduced us to his dad.

We are very thankful that Jerry shares his expertise, skills, and time with us, as while Jerry does not work with the young people, everything he does positively impacts the lives of the young people who come to the farm.  We know that Jerry is an active member of the community giving time and talents to other groups and organisations, like the Kiama Lions, which makes us incredibly grateful for everything he does to support our work with kids in need.

Jerry’s commitment to the vision of the charity, and the life-changing impact it has in the lives of at-risk and disadvantaged young people, has seen him advocate for us in a variety of community settings, and because of his skill and diligence as a grant writer, we have been awarded multiple grants, all of which have helped the charity to continue to support young people. One of our most recent grants, from the NSW Government, which enabled us to purchase a new Kubota ATV vehicle to use with kids of varying ability, to be able to access all areas of the farm, was initiated and propelled by Jerry.

As if that is not enough, Jerry is also a part of our maintenance team at the farm, where he gets hands on, and does various building maintenance jobs. We are exceptionally grateful that Jerry is a part of the A Taste of Paradise Farm team.  We hope you will join us in congratulating him on this award, and we join in the acknowledgement of all he does for our community. We know that Jerry is a big reason that AToP is a special place for kids in need.