Junior Tia-Kilifi says 'thank you'

On Saturday the 28th of April, Blacktown Methodist Church launched their
first official fundraising/family day event for Hype2Unite.

Hype2Unite is a cultural awareness campaign, an initiative started by
myself and another youth member. The campaign is designed to help raise
awareness about the beauty of Polynesian culture to other cultures and
communities. Hype2Unite will be hosting a series of events throughout
the year leading up to our main production evening which will be held on
the 26th of October at the Panthers Leagues, The Evans Theatre.

I would like to thank Dave O'neill - Abcoe, Gary Wylie & Kristen Barber
- Krispey Kreme Penrith, John Veich - Heartland Holden Penrith, Grant Mc
Fadden - Specialty entertainment Pty Ltd, Riverside Oaks Golf Resort &
Harvey Norman Penrith.

Dave, Kristen, Gary, John & Grant did not only kindly donate and offer
their service's to Hype2Unite but were present on the day of the event.
I can't thank these people enough and I'm very grateful for their
support for a fantastic cause.

Krispy Kreme provided their deliciously tasting donuts and were totally
demolished by the end of the day! John Veich offered the opportunity to
anybody interested in going for a ride in a brand new HSV Holden
Commodore. John rarely had the chance to take 5mins off for a quick
break. John also kindly donated Holden merchandise as prizes and give-aways.

Dave with the great spirit he has generously donated 500 sausages, 500
cans of soft drink incl. bottles of water along with five $100 shopping
vouchers which was drawn as a raffle towards the end of the event. Dave
also bought the auctioned signed & framed NRL jersey for $500 and
donated it back to the Rev. Lester Faleupolu Taulelei of Blacktown
Methodist Church.

Grant Mc Fadden had the jumping castle set up which kept the kids
well occupied all day long.

Harvey Norman were kind enough to donate a 3D camera while Riverside
Oaks Golf Resort showed support by donating their awesome play & stay
package which was drawn from a raffle and won by our very own Blake
Austin.

Thank you also to NRL Penrith Panthers players Nathan Smith, Geoff
Daniela, Matt Robinson, Blake Austin, Lachlan Coote and Greg Waddell
who were also their to show their support and even participated in all
the games and activities.

I would also like to thank Glen Cox who displayed great MCing skills
during the auction. Glen was a big help in organising and planning for
the Hype2Unite family day event.

The support from such wonderful people will go a long way in helping the
growth and development of Hype2Unite and should be recognised to the
rest of the community.

On behalf of Blacktown Methodist Church and Hype2Unite, I would like to
say THANK YOU to every Panther fan who came down to enjoy a day filled
with laughter, joy and rich Islander culture.