HVO community grant supports PCYC Book Fair and youth programs

HVO community grant supports PCYC Book Fair and youth programs

Hunter book lovers will be able to pick up some great reads while raising funds for local PCYC youth programs at this month’s Singleton PCYC Book Fair.

HVO is supporting the PCYC to put on the book fair for the third year running through a community grant.

PCYC club manager David Andrews said there will be more than 16,000 books available at bargain prices across all genres. He said the event coincides with Book Week and includes writing workshops and guest author readings.

“We are working with local schools to help foster a love of books and reading among young people,” David said.

“The event is also a welcome fundraiser with all proceeds going to help us continue providing our free or low cost activities and programs for local young people,” he said.

“The Book Fair has been a fixture on the Singleton community calendar for more than 15 years. PCYC took over the annual event from the Lions Club in 2022. More than 2,000 people attended last year’s fair including people from outside the area.”

HVO’s ongoing support

David thanked HVO for its ongoing support.

“Without HVO’s support we would have to take the costs of running the event out of our proceeds which means less money for local youth activities.”

He also thanked local people and organisations including Father Riley’s, Vinnies, the Co-op Op Shop and Sarah Johnstone from the Little Book Place for their book donations. The School of Infantry will assist with heavy lifting during the week of the fair.

HVO community and environment officer Nic McLaughlin said the PCYC grant is one of 20 awarded this year to support Upper Hunter and Lower Hunter not for profit community group projects.

Nic said the grant to PCYC will pay for hire of the venue and sorting and storage areas as well as marketing, catering, author readings and writing workshops.

“HVO invests in the development of our community to build positive and lasting social and economic benefits,” Nic said. 

“Our grants are about helping to improve our community’s capacity building, skills, health and well-being and environment,” he said.

“If HVO’s proposal to continue mining is approved, we will be able to continue to provide this support to local organisations who do so much for our community.”

HVO has provided almost $500,000 to more than 110 projects since 2018. This is in addition to its other charity partnerships and workplace giving programs. The grants support smaller scale projects of not for profit organisations in the Muswellbrook, Singleton, Cessnock, Maitland and Upper Hunter local government areas.

To find out more:

• Visit: www.hvo.com.au/community or
• Email: EnvironmentandCommunity@hvo.com.au

PCYC is a charity empowering young people to reach their potential through Police and community partnerships. Singleton PCYC has been providing local young people with free or low cost activities in a safe, fun and friendly environment for more than 55 years. Its staff also work with youth at risk to break the cycle of disadvantage through crime prevention, vocational education, capacity building and social responsibility programs.

The Singleton PCYC Book Fair will run 9am to 5pm from Thursday July 25 to Saturday July 27 at the Singleton Showground Pavilion. Entry is free.

With so many books on offer, there will be a separate fair for DVDs, CDs and games on September 21 and 22 at the PCYC.

2024 HVO Community Grants recipients

• Singleton PCYC – 2024 Book Fair to raise funds for youth activities at the centre
• Rotary Club of Singleton on Hunter – Silver sponsor of Singleton Art Prize     
• Singleton Public Library – Little Bang Science Programme workshops for 3-5 year-olds
• Denman Public School – Renaissance Star Reading literacy programme for Kindergarten to Year 6 students.
• Singleton Public School – Replace electronic white boards in classrooms
• Singleton Neighbourhood Centre – Personal safety devices for volunteers servicing vulnerable groups
• Maitland Tenambit BMX Club – Installation of a transponder (timing loop) system to enable riders to compare racing and training times
• Upper Hunter Homeless Support – Additional food kept on site to feed people experiencing homelessness
• Sandy Hollow Public School – Line marking of athletic fields and beach sand for long jump pit
• Hunter Valley Camp Draft – Upgrade toilet and shower facilities for both sexes at Whittingham facility
• Mark Hughes Foundation – Support to hold 50 Sparkling Years fundraising event
• Muswellbrook High School – Funding for Student Representative Council to hold a colour run event to support Motor Neuron Disease research
• Cessnock City Council – Support to hold Our Bushland Festival
• Australian Stock Horse Association – Prize money for Eastern Branch ASHS Championships and Performance Weekend
• Sunnyfield – Weekly pottery classes during school term for clients with a disability
• St Catherines Catholic College – First Aid Course for Year 10 students
• NSW Scout Association – Enable an Upper Hunter scout to attend the Queensland Scout Jamboree
• Business Singleton – Platinum sponsor of Singleton Business Awards
• Maitland Steam and Antique Machinery Association – Mezzanine flooring to prevent flooding at Hunter Valley Steamfest
• Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Exhibit sponsor of TV, Movie and Nostalgia Festival.