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I4Give Foundation

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i4Give Foundation
FormationDecember 2020
FounderDaniel & Leila Abdallah
Area served
Australia
Websitewww.i4give.com

The I4Give Foundation (Stylised "i4Give Foundation") is an Australian non-profit organisation[1] which aims to increase forgiveness amongst communities.[2] The foundation is behind the i4Give day on 1 February, and the i4Give week which begins on 1 February and ends on 7 February. It is a large adovacte towards forgiveness in Australia, largely inspired by the Maronite Catholic belief of forgiveness.[3][4]

Background

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On 1 February 2020, three of Daniel and Leila's Abdallah's children walked with their four other relatives down Bettington Road, Oatlands, to get ice cream.[5][6] However, while walking, a driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol struck the seven children, the parents' three children and their cousin, passing away.[7] The three other children were hospitalised, two recovering afterwards, one receiving permanent brain damage. The driver was charged with 20 offences including four counts each of manslaughter, dangerous driving occasioning death, and driving with a high-range blood alcohol reading and driving through a red light.[8] He later had his 28-year sentence reduced to 20 years, 15 of those years without parole.[9] Three days after the deaths, Leila Abdallah publicly forgave the driver, stating "Right now I can't hate him [...] I think in my heart to forgive him, but I want the court to be fair. It's all about fairness. I'm not going to hate him, because that's not who we are."[10] She later confirmed her forgiveness, stating "we have forgiven him so we are able to grieve peacefully".[11] The crash occurred at the Oatlands Golf Course perimeter, however after fighting for a memorial to be placed 200 meters from the site of the crash, it was denied. Local Member of Parliament Geoff Lee, Prime Minister (at the time) Scott Morrison, and Oppositions Leader Chris Minns criticised the move, Lee calling it "cold hearted", and Morrison stating that the move was "distressing", and that he was talking to Australian Premier Dominic Perrottet about the denial. Daniel Abdallah labeled the move "disappointing".[12] The memorial was later approved to be built,[13] and was built on the Saturday 3 February 2024. Its opening was welcomed by politicians such as Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns.[14] The family later had another child named Selina, a mix of the two daughters names that died in the incident, Sienna and Angelina.[15]

In December 2020, the i4Give foundation was founded, along with i4Give day and i4Give week, held for the first time on 1 February 2021.[16][17][18][19] From June 2021, the "Four Angels" law was enforced in New South Wales, inspired by the death of the four children. The law gives a harsher penalty to drivers found to have a combination of illegal drugs and alcohol in their system.[20] Leila Abdallah was named mother of the year in May 2021.[19][21] In June 2022, the Abdallah family was invited to attend the World Meeting of Families 2022 in Rome.[22] The family became good friends with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.[23] After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invited Daniel Abdallah to her funeral in September 2022, along with 10 other Australians for "extraordinary contributions to their communities", citing his founding of the i4Give Foundation and its influence within Australian communities.[24]

A three year annual grant of AUD $65,000 was contributed to the i4Give Foundation by City of Parramatta in 2023.[25]

i4Give Day

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i4Give day is a reoccurring date hosted annually on 1 February. The date of the accident was chosen as the date for i4Give intentionally, in order to be remember the tragedy as a day of forgiveness rather than sadness. Its aim is to spread the message of forgiveness throughout Australia.[17][26][27][28]

The New South Wales Government, former Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have both expressed their encouragement of the day,[24] Morrison choosing to publicly forgiving Barnaby Joyce at an i4Give event held within The Kings School in 2022.[29]

A temporary banner outside The King's School, Parramatta displaying their support for the i4Give Foundation in February 2023.

i4Give Events

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i4Give Week

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The i4Give foundation also created a week long event named "i4Give week", which lasts from 1 February to 7 February annually, with numerous actives held throughout.

i4Give Sunday

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"i4Give Sunday" was also created, held on the Sunday within the first week of February, which encourages churches across Australia to "unite in a shared embrace of the Christ centred approach to forgiveness".[2] The Kings School's "Kings Community Church" partnered with the foundation for a chapel service in 2022, which was live-streamed on YouTube.[30] The service was also held in 2023, with Headmaster Tony George making a speech.[31]

i4Give Festival

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The i4Give foundation runs a Gala Event on i4Give day every year, the first two being postponed due to covid. On 4 February 2023, the first free i4Give festival was held in Prince Alfred Park.[32] The park was chosen as Leila Abdallah used to take her children to the park before the crash.[15] Its aim was to encourage young people to start forgiving at a young age.[33] Anthony Albanese held a speech at the event,[34][35] and multiple members and former members of parliament attended, including Scott Morrison, Andrew Charlton, Dominic Perrottet, Chris Minns, and Donna Davis. Many members of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Australian Rugby League team were also in attendance, who had previously supported the i4Give Cup in 2022. The father of the relative that died in the crash, Bob Sakr, also attended.[15]

i4Give Cup

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See also: King's Birthday match (NRL)

The i4Give Cup is an event held by the i4Give foundation. It is a joint initiative between the Australian Rugby League team Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and City of Parramatta, in order to support the family and their decision to forgive. It was launched the Tuesday 7 June 2022 at Accor Stadium by Bulldog's captain Josh Jackson and Clint Githerson. The event was attended by the Bulldog's Chief-Executive Aaron Warburton, and former players Tim Mannah, Terry Lamb and Hazem El Masri. The match was held between the Parramatta Eels and the Bulldogs' on 13 June 2022, the i4Give cup presented by Daniel Abdullah to the winning team (the Bulldogs).[36][37][38] It was held for a second time in 2023, on Monday 12 June at Accor Stadium, in which the Parramatta Eels won 34–12 against the Bulldogs.[39][40]

References

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  1. ^ "I4GIVE FOUNDATION LTD". opencorporates.com. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Home". i4Give Day. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  3. ^ "'Humanity came together': How this family forgave the killer of their children and united a community". SBS Language. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  4. ^ Tinworth, Sue (28 July 2022). "i4GIVE WEEK". Partners In Prayer Australia. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Jail time reduced for driver who killed four children in Oatlands crash". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  6. ^ Rawsthorne, Sally (2 February 2020). "'They were just walking on the footpath': Four children killed, one critical in Sydney crash". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  7. ^ Graham, Ben (3 February 2020). "Timeline of a tragedy that has left Australia in shock".
  8. ^ "Driver faces 20 charges after four children fatally struck by 4WD". ABC News. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  9. ^ "'No winners': Parents of children killed by drunk driver react to 28-year jail sentence". ABC News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  10. ^ Rawsthorne, Sally (3 February 2020). "'I can't hate him': Mother of three children killed by alleged drunk driver forgives". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  11. ^ "'MY FAMILY HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF': One year on from the tragic crash that rocked the nation". 7NEWS. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Abdallah family left in shock as fight for memorial takes 'cold-hearted' turn". 7NEWS. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  13. ^ Koziol, Michael (24 October 2023). "Crash memorial and controversial redevelopment to go ahead at western Sydney golf course". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  14. ^ Lim, Anne (1 February 2024). "Memorial to Abdallah and Sakr children opening - Eternity News". Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Achenza, Madeleine. "'Present in their spirit': Parents' moving message at festival dedicated to four kids slain in horror crash".
  16. ^ "'I 4give Day' launched by families of crash victims - News". www.health.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  17. ^ a b "One year on, families of children killed in Oatlands crash spread message of forgiveness". ABC News. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  18. ^ Bennett, Natalie (31 January 2022). "i4give Week Sharing the Message of Forgiveness Across Australia". Hope 103.2. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  19. ^ a b "'My heart is torn between Heaven and Earth': Leila Abdallah welcomes newborn daughter". SBS Language. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  20. ^ NSW, Transport for (28 June 2021). "Four Angels Law enforced from today". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Leila Abdallah dedicates award after being named mother of the year". 7NEWS. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  22. ^ "Abdallah family makes big announcement two years after devastating Oatlands crash". 7NEWS. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  23. ^ Turner-Cohen, Alex. "'You are so blessed': Confronting question stranger asks Oatlands tragedy couple".
  24. ^ a b "Ten 'everyday' Australians to travel to Queen's funeral with Anthony Albanese". the Guardian. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  25. ^ "i4GiveDay". atparramatta.com. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  26. ^ January 29th, Ben McEachen |; Comment, 2021 11:22 AM | Add a (29 January 2021). "New national day to find the freedom in forgiveness - Eternity News". Retrieved 9 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ 96five (3 February 2022). "i4give Week Sharing the Message of Forgiveness Across Australia". 96five Family Radio. Retrieved 9 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Taylor, Bronnie (21 December 2020). "PRESS RELEASE: I4GIVE DAY' LAUNCHED BY FAMILIES OF CRASH VICTIMS" (PDF).
  29. ^ "PM forgives Barnaby Joyce's text message as an act of human 'frailty'". Australian Financial Review. 6 February 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  30. ^ i4Give Chapel Service, retrieved 4 February 2023
  31. ^ Pizzirani, Daniela (6 February 2022). "National day to find forgiveness following deaths of four children".
  32. ^ "i4Give Festival launches in NSW to honour Oatlands crash victims". The Age. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  33. ^ Derrick, Krusche (31 January 2023). "Abdallah family to host free family festival on i4Give Day".
  34. ^ "Opening remarks: i4Give Festival | Prime Minister of Australia". www.pm.gov.au. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  35. ^ Ago, 2 Minutes (4 February 2023), Prime Minister gives speech at i4Give Festival in Sydney, retrieved 4 February 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ "Bulldogs and Parramatta to play for the I4Give Cup". Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  37. ^ Bulldogs and Eels throw support behind I4Give Cup initiative, retrieved 4 February 2023
  38. ^ "BULLDOGS AND PARRAMATTA TO PLAY FOR THE I4GIVE CUP - Accor Stadium". accorstadium.com.au. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  39. ^ "Round 15 Team News: Ciraldo Updates His Side for the i4Give Cup Clash". Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  40. ^ Cleary, Matt (9 June 2023). "King's Birthday Bash: Bulldogs and Eels to contest second annual I4Give Cup". Accor Stadium. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
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