“If you can read, you can learn on Google .”

“If you can read, you can learn on Google .”

That simple statement from the legendary Rev. Bill Crews really stayed with me.

And then he explained something even more powerful:

“That’s why we put so much focus on teaching the hungry and homeless to read.

Because feeding someone helps them today

Education can help change their tomorrow.

Rev Bill Crews has dedicated his life to helping people who too often get forgotten — feeding the hungry, supporting the homeless, advocating for the vulnerable, and importantly, helping children develop the basic skills of reading and writing that can change the trajectory of their lives.

His organisation feeds more than 1,000 people every week.

But what inspired me most was the philosophy behind the work.

In a world where almost unlimited knowledge is available online, the ability to read becomes a gateway to opportunity.

If you can read, you can search.

If you can search, you can learn.

If you can learn, you can develop skills.

And with skills comes the opportunity to change your circumstances.

Today, Referron was proud to sponsor the South Sydney #Nomads Golf Day at Macquarie Links International Golf Club , supporting the extraordinary work of the The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation. 

It was inspiring listening to Bill speak about a lifetime devoted to giving people dignity, opportunity and hope.

It also got me thinking about how business connections can become a force for good.

At Referron, we believe every connection has the potential to create an opportunity.

Now imagine if every connection and every referral could also create a contribution.

A corporate team makes a new connection → the company contributes.

Someone makes a trusted referral → the company contributes.

Thousands of connections and referrals across an organisation → thousands of small acts of giving.

Suddenly, everyday business activity can help feed someone, educate a child or support someone experiencing homelessness.

I’m looking forward to exploring this idea with Bill — connecting Referron, referrals and corporate philanthropy so that the simple act of helping someone in business can also help someone in the community.

Connect. Refer. Contribute.

Because sometimes one #connection can change a business.

And sometimes, one connection can change a life.