Free green waste donations to aid The Pyjama Foundation
MEDIA RELEASE
Published: 15th August 2023. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)
Council’s third free green waste disposal of the year starts this weekend.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning urged residents to take advantage of the free disposal period to clean up their yards following a wetter than usual July.
“I am sure many residents will be keen to get in there and tidy up their yards,” Cr Manning said.
“While we are still quite a way out from the annual wet season, taking the time now to trim trees and overhanging branches will make cyclone preparations later in the year a little easier.”
Residents taking advantage of this month’s free green waste disposal period are encouraged to make a voluntary gold coin donation at waste transfer stations, which will support The Pyjama Foundation.
The Pyjama Foundation was created to provide children in care with opportunities, to create positive relationships, and instil a love of learning.
Volunteer 'Pyjama Angel' mentors provide one-on-one support to children in care by visiting them once a week to empower them with learning, life skills and confidence to reach their full potential.
Since 2004, more than 11,000 children in care have spent more than 1 million hours with volunteer mentors, who work tirelessly and lovingly to empower those children.
Joeleen Bettini, Far North Region Coordinator for The Pyjama Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the organisation being selected as the beneficiary for the donations.
“We are so grateful to be the recipient of Cairns Regional Council’s Green Waste disposal initiative this year,” she said.
“Our ‘Love of Learning Program’ empowers children and young people in care with learning, life-skills, and confidence to change the direction of their lives.
“Donations will allow us to recruit, screen, train and match more volunteer mentors, called Pyjama Angels, with a child or young person in care, who will visit them on a weekly basis to help build their confidence and reach their full potential.”
Residential green waste can be dropped off free of charge from 19 to 27 August at the Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale, and Babinda Transfer Stations, seven days a week, from 8.30am to 5.15pm.
Note: this offer is for domestic cars, utilities and/or trailers and light trucks (vehicle weight to GVM 4 tonnes). Normal rates apply for disposal of any other waste during this period, including green waste from garden maintenance contractors on behalf of residents.
Last Updated: 15 August 2023
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