Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman’s Own Foundation is donating to five Victorian charities in their annual philanthropic campaign which sees a total of $1million given to worthwhile causes nationally.

This year the foundation is honored to be making grants to a total of twenty three charities across Australia. The Victorian grants totaling $237,500 are a further example of the generous legacy left by Paul Newman, who died at the end of last year.

The successful beneficiaries are;

• Big Brothers Big Sisters Melbourne

• C.E.R.E.S. Centre for Education & Environmental Research in Environmental Strategies.

• Kids Plus Foundation

• The Foundation for Young Australians

• The Scout Association of Australia

The funds awarded will be used to assist with a variety of individual projects ranging from a mentoring program to support 'at risk' youth to therapy for babies and children who have neuro-developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy.

Rebecca Wolstenholme, Program Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters commented “Big Brothers Big Sisters never has a shortage of young people who need, and deserve, that special friend. We currently have over 100 disadvantaged and vulnerable young people waiting for their own Big Brother or Big Sister, many of whom have been waiting for up to two years and all who are lacking that positive role model in their lives.

This grant from the Newman’s Own Foundation will allow us to take 30 of these young people off the waiting list and provide them with a one-on-one mentoring relationship, as well as involving a further 40 young people in our group mentoring programs. The friendships that will be built between the volunteer mentors and their ‘Littles’ will be long-term and life-changing, giving these young people someone who can share their journey and help them reach their full potential.”

This year Bob Forrester, the President of the Newman’s Own Foundation will be visiting Australia to officially present the grants and meet with this year’s successful charities and past beneficiaries at events taking place in Melbourne and Sydney.

With a career spanning forty years, Bob Forrester is an internationally recognised leader in the philanthropic and non-governmental sectors and was a close personal friend and philanthropic advisor to Paul Newman.

This year’s donations to community-based charities across Australia have brought the total funding to more than $13 million since the first Paul Newman’s Own products were sold on supermarket shelves 26 years ago. To date, Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have donated over $379 million to thousands of charities around the world and is a powerful and lasting expression of Paul Newman's generosity.

Who knew that a bottle of salad dressing could, in turn, forever change the lives of thousands in need around the world. That’s mighty potent (and tasty!) stuff.*

Visit www.paulnewmansown.com.au for further details.

*Newman’s Own Foundation continues Paul Newman’s commitment to donate all royalties & after tax profits from these products for educational and charitable purposes.