POLYMASTER is investing in childhood development with a $496 donation to the Swan Hill Community Toy Library.
“Early childhood play is essential for reaching different milestones in a child’s development – language development skills, building confidence, building resilience, and turn taking,” Swan Hill Community Toy Library president Denise Jordan said.
The liquid storage solutions company’s donation will be spent on sensory and outdoor play equipment, focusing on the baby to toddler age group, she said.
“The toy drive allows us to ensure that we can have high quality toys, update toys that happen to be broken or need updating or replacing – all the funds go back into the toy library in purchasing actual toys,” she said.
High quality toys that enhance a child’s development are costly, and the toy library provides the community with a variety of toys in the same way a traditional library provides books.
The toy library gives all local families access to enriching play, which can be limited due to cost-of-living restraints.
“It gives families of one less pressure in their lives worrying about meeting children’s needs with buying them new toys and keeping them entertained, for as little as $45 a year,” she said.
In 2023, the toy library bought about 90 per cent of the toys purchased through the toy drive.
“Given that the money is coming from local community and businesses we try to put the money back into the community,” Ms Jordan said.
Swan Hill business Polymaster donates monthly to charities, prioritising local causes that contribute to not only issues that impact staff but the wider community, Polymaster people and culture manager Tracey Osborn said.
Staff nominate the charity and all staff contributions are matched by the company.
The toy drive ends June 30, but the library accepts donations all year. These are tax deductible over $2.
