A family legacy continues to bring smiles to the people at Sylvanvale and indeed the entire Sutherland Shire community.

Kaylene Cox’s sister Lariassa Lang attended Sylvanvale in the 1980s and 90s from when she was five years old until she sadly passed away when she was 19.

To help raise money for Sylvanvale, Kaylene’s parents Shirley and Norman Lang, started a toy drive. The pair would collect pre-loved toys donated by the community and mend and clean the toys in preparation for sale. Initially they sold them in a stall at Westfield Miranda and then at a stall at the Gymea Village Fair.

Kaylene had always been involved in the toy drive with her parents, but when Shirley and Norman died, Kaylene took on the toy drive with her aunt Margaret Bowerman. This year, Kaylene and Margaret continued the family legacy and raised over $1400 at the 2011 Gymea Village Fair. “The toy drive is the thing I do to help other people. Sylvanvale has a special place in my heart and I do it for the kids,” Kaylene says.

Sylvanvale Foundation’s Volunteer Coordinator Harkeet Sandhu says that the dedication of Kaylene and Margaret is amazing. “We’re so thankful for all the work that Kaylene and Margaret do for Sylvanvale. The toy drive is a wonderful legacy started by Shirley and Norman and it continues to help the people with disabilities that Sylvanvale supports.”

For information on how you can also make a difference by volunteering your time to a great cause, please contact Harkeet on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (02) 8536 0180.

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