Heart to Heart, founded by Forster woman Donna Rankin, is asking for corporate and community support to help the program get enough votes to share the money.

Great Lakes residents and businesses can vote by taking a photo of a Dick Smith food product at home or at work and by sending it to charity@dicksmiths.com.au along with ‘I vote for Heart to Heart’ in the email or subject line. 

In terms of the number of votes, as of last Thursday, Heart to Heart was sitting in fifth place.   

Dick Smith gave away $500,000 in the first half of the year and will give away another $500,000 at the end of December. 

Mrs Rankin said since joining the giveaway about eight months ago, there has been an overwhelming response from locals as well as those from overseas.    

“I must admit that at first I was disillusioned when I saw the list of charities in Australia trying to win the funds - 300 or more,” she said. 

“Then my belief in our community and the strength of our networks kicked in. We pushed the message hard on Facebook and I spread the word with friends. 

“Heart to Heart quickly made its way up the ladder as our community started sending in their votes and photos.

“One friend, Genevieve Moran spent a whole day at the BMX races carrying around her Dick Smith products taking photos.

“We have even received photos from Morocco and Tibet where close friends attended the traditional wedding of our Tibetan friends.”

Local girls involved in the Heart to Heart program have also been busy at their school – Great Lakes College encouraging friends to take photos as well as recently spending a day at the Pacific Palms Markets where they were able to get over 200 photos. 

Each person in the photo counted as one vote and ultimately increases Heart to Heart’s chance in winning a share of the funding. 

Mrs Rankin said if Heart to Heart is successful with the challenge, it could receive up to $50,000 which would make a huge difference to the lives of local disadvantaged girls. 

Heart to Heart aims to re-engage girls in Australian high schools through mentoring, art and a humanitarian trip. 

“The money would enable Heart to Heart to continue working within our community with our local youths and at the same time help the children of the Vung Tau Orphanage,” she said. 

“It’s very exciting.  In one way I can’t believe that we have come this far but in another way it never ceases to amaze me how supportive the people of Forster Tuncurry are.  Our community really cares about each other and this is the exact message of Heart to Heart, - community, caring, support and reaching out to others.”

For more information visit Heart to Heart’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hearttoheartaustralia