Canning Vale-based Good Samaritan Industries celebrated International Day of People with Disability with a scholarships and award ceremony on December 3.
The United Nations celebrates the day annually on December 3.
It is aimed at promoting an understanding of disability and increased awareness of the benefits of integrating people with disability in every day of political, social and economic life.
GSI employs about 300 people with a disability in its 27 Good Sammy stores, including its Canning Vale warehouse.
A spokeswoman said their mission was to provide training and employment for people with a disability.
“Every member of staff plays a key role from collecting, processing and selling donations to fund this mission,” she said.
“GSI celebrated this year with scholarships and awards totalling $18,000 being presented to an amazing group of talented people.”
They handed out the Sarah Potter Awards for exceptional GSI staff and the Quadrant Energy Scholarships totalling $11,000 for year 11 and 12 students with a disability to set them on the road to further training and employment.
The City of Canning also held a corporate volunteer day at GSI in Canning Vale as part of their disability awareness week initiative
On December 1 city staff worked alongside people with disabilities as they helped sort through donated goods.
Canning mayor Paul Ng said it was important for West Australians living with a disability to enjoy equal opportunities in all aspects of life.
“The meaningful work that Good Samaritan Industries does means that people living with disabilities can engage in paid employment which helps to build their independence whilst they are making a meaningful contributions to the community,” he said.
In the last financial year Good Samaritan Industries collected, processed and recycled close to 5.5-million kilograms of unwanted items.
For more information visit goodsamaritan.com.au.
