“I joined the fundraising committee at my oldest son’s Kinder, and fell in love with fundraising…”
Jenni Mittra is the selfless, generous person who has given Geelong the Emerald Ball. This year’s Emerald Ball will be held on the 6th October, at GMHBA stadium. Funds raised from the Emerald Ball each year, are donated to Headspace Geelong. For tickets email emeraldball@outlook.com
Always interested in helping others and volunteering, Jenni began running the Ball with two female friends, aiming to raise funds for Mental Health awareness, and to help reduce the stigma attached to the illness. Four years later, Jenni has a committee of 10 assisting the event.
Jenni is extremely community minded and is a very humble volunteer- she is always the first to put her hand up for anything, and everything that needs support.
Her commitment to helping others started as a ‘Big Sister’ for Barwon Youth, mentoring a 16 year old for 2 years. Around the same time, Jenni found her passion for fundraising when she joined the fundraising committee at her oldest son’s kinder.
“I was on to a good thing that year. Then I found out that a friend’s child was born with Cystic Fibrosis, so I organised an online auction with all proceeds going to CF Victoria. That went really well, so I then decided to do a Gala Dinner”.
Jenni’s children, now 12 and 9, help her out every year on the night of the Ball and in the lead up to the event. “It has been amazing teaching them to give back to the community and to help others”.
Story: Sandra Zeiback. Photo: Supplied
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