MIGRANTS from a Riverina-sized region of Italy have made the second highest contribution of any community group in support of Griffith's private hospital.
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The Trevisani Nel Mondo convention hosted in Griffith last November raised $50,000, which was donated to council on Thursday night. President of Griffith's Trevisani Nel Mondo branch Denise Bennett said the donation was made possible by the determination of the organising committee to raise the funds.
"Even though this is a little cheque, I know it means a lot to the success of our community hospital," Mrs Bennett said.
"Some other Trevisani conferences have ended up in debt but Griffith was determined to make a profit so we could give something back.
"However, we weren't expecting to raise $50,000, we were expecting closer to $20,000, so we had to check our records three times to make sure we hadn't made an accounting mistake."
Mayor John Dal Broi said he was shocked when he heard how much was being donated.
"I had heard through the grape vine we were in line for a lot of money, but I was expecting $20,000 and when I found out it was $50,000 I almost fell of my chair," Cr Dal Broi said.
"This donation is a big boost for the hospital and it sets the bar for other community groups.
"This group is made up of migrants from Italy which goes to show how they have embraced Griffith as the place they live and the place where they want to live and contribute."
Other major donors include Griffith Rotary, which has pledged $100,000 as well as John Casella and Roy Spagnolo.
The latest donation took the combined funds to $700,000.