The support includes the provision of premium high quality coffee beans and syrups, enabling the café to make significant operating cost savings that will instead be used to help STEPS continue its mission to create a brighter future for young adults with a disability and autism.

Carmel Crouch, Managing Director of STEPS Group, said Café on George was thrilled to partner with Terry and Zarraffa’s Coffee Caloundra.

“Terry’s incredible act of generosity has allowed our Café on George to serve up a wonderful range of coffee supplied by Zarraffa’s Coffee Caloundra, but also enabled cost savings to support our innovative learning model for young people with a disability and autism at our STEPS Pathways College,” Carmel said.

“We are already receiving wonderful feedback from our café patrons who are appreciating the delicious coffee products we are serving up, plus the wonderful partnership we have in place with our local Zarraffa’s store,” she said.

Terry is a Sunshine Coast resident and long term Zarraffa’s Coffee franchisee, who operates stores at Caloundra, Currimundi, Maroochydore, Morayfield and Nambour, and said he was inspired to donate to help young people with a disability and autism in his local community.

“I think STEPS Pathways College is incredible and it’s wonderful to see our Zarraffa’s Coffee products used at Café on George, and how we play a part in assisting the students who train there and learn skills for life,” Terry said.

“I have always been willing to help community causes wherever I can through my work with Zarraffa’s Coffee. The mission and values of STEPS and its Café on George really resonates with me, and I wanted to do whatever I could to help,” he said.

Located in the heart of Caloundra, Cafe on George provides students with essential workplace skills as they journey towards independence. Café on George is open to the public and allows Pathways College students with the opportunity to undertake valuable training and work experience, learning skills such as how to make coffee, create sandwiches, serve customers, take orders, and maintain kitchen hygiene. Visitors to Café on George can indulge in delicious food, and coffee supplied by Zarraffa’s Coffee Caloundra, Monday to Friday, with every dollar generated directly supporting students at STEPS Pathways College.

On Friday 8^th March, the students joined radio hosts Mark & Caroline and Todd & Sami and a group of dedicated walkers to take on an exhilarating 30km trek from Maroochydore to Caloundra raising money along the way from local businesses and the community.

STEPS Managing Director Carmel Crouch says the funds raised will help provide students at STEPS Pathways College with a life-changing experience, allowing them to dream bigger than they’ve ever dreamt before and create a life with more independence than they ever thought possible.

“We know that people with a disability and autism can be more, do more and achieve more, and our graduating students are living proof of this,” says Carmel.

“It was such a pleasure to see all the smiling faces of the STEPS Pathways students. Except for the bits where I was walking, I didn’t like those bits. But the rest of the day was magnificent!” says Mark Darin, 92.7 MIX FM Breakfast Announcer.

“It was a big day, 30 kilometres was a long way to walk, and I was whinging most of the way, but the generosity of the coast made it worth our while,” shares Caroline Hutchinson, 92.7 MIX FM Breakfast Announcer.

Todd & Sami, 92.7 MIX FM Drive Announcers, share the sentiment.

“To watch our team at MIX and the team at STEPS give it their all made us so proud. What a wonderful and fun event for a wonderful local place that is helping colour the future of so many young Coasties.”

The incredible total of $64,233.57 is a testament to the Sunshine Coast community’s caring nature and generosity.

“The money we raise at this year’s Steps for STEPS will help us give more young people with a disability and autism the opportunity to show the world what they’re capable of,” says Carmel.

Hosted by the Caloundra Country Women’s Association and Martin Duncan, Sunshine Coast foodie, Sconetime is a regular morning tea meet-up created for locals on the Sunshine Coast looking to connect with others.

The students assisted with setting up the event and setting the tables. During the morning tea, students served the community with tea and coffee and delicious scones with jam and cream.

The objective for the day was to give back to the community by volunteering.

While there Katrina and students were able to raise awareness in the local community of the great work STEPS Pathways College does to help change the lives of others by teaching young people independent living skills.

Students were able to increase their confidence and communication skills by conversing with locals from the community including business owners, aged care residents and members of local groups and clubs.

They also raised awareness of the volunteer program at STEPS and what locals can do to help.

“It makes me feel good to do good things for others,” says Elisha.

The students enjoyed setting up and making the tables appear as perfect as possible. They also enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy morning tea as a reward for the efforts of volunteering.

As we transition into a vibrant Garden Centre, we’re delighted to introduce our new Manager, April Heard. April has extensive knowledge in horticulture and is particularly passionate about edible gardens.

Assisting April is our garden centre extraordinaire Skye Devitt, who works hard keeping the garden centre looking beautiful, and eagerly shares her expert gardening tips with customers.

Starting October 8th, we’re also extending our services to cater to your gardening needs every day of the week.

To mark the occasion, join us on Saturday October 7th at our Open Day as we welcome the vibrant season of spring and celebrate the exciting launch of our 7-day trade. Visit our Garden Centre on Ulm Street any time between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Get inspired with our team of gardening enthusiasts, immerse yourself in our wide selection of stunning plants and greenery, and receive up to 20% off selected items.

See you there!