Komatsu supports Ronald McDonald House Charity with $10,000 grant

Komatsu has granted one of its employees $10,000 to make a significant impact to an organisation of their choice and for Diana Easter, it was the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC).

The Live your Dream program from Komatsu grants $10,000 to select employees each year to put towards a charity or organisation — whether that be a local community charity, a fundraising opportunity or community support service.

Ms Easter’s charity of choice, the RMHC provides a home-away-from-home for seriously ill or injured children and offers free accommodation, meals, tutoring programs and support to them and their families.

More than 20,000 families in Mackay, Queensland, benefitted from the RMHC in 2023.

Ms Easter commented on the work she does.

“When the local house opened, I started volunteering in the family room and saw so many different families using the services,” she said.

“I got to experience firsthand the positive impact that the house provides to these families and the difference a meal, safe space, bed and a friendly conversation can have.”

Ms Easter’s nephew was a resident of the RMHC in both Perth and Melbourne and this had a lasting impact on her.

“RMHC offered comfort, housing and food at a very traumatic time for my family, not to mention easing the financial burden involved during their visits,” she said.

“My nephew and sister-in-law are based in Kalgoorlie, which is nearly 600km from Perth, so to have that support there for them when they were so far away from home and their family networks was beyond helpful.”

The grant will be used to provide local Mackay families at RMHC with essentials such as toiletries, snacks, sanitary items, water and activity packs for both children and adults who visit the house.

The first batch of supplies were packed and delivered by Ms Easter and fellow Komatsu workers.

“The RMHC were appreciative of the donation as they are an independent charity that relies on the work of volunteers and the financial support of individuals and corporate donations,” Ms Easter said.

“Being able to give back and be a part of the Live your Dream program has been such a fantastic experience and I’m so grateful to have been selected.

“It’s a beautiful feeling to be able to give back to an organisation that has helped my family immensely.”