Seeing the inspiring stories from past Komatsu Live Your Dream recipients was the spark that ignited Chris Nagle, from Komatsu’s Adelaide branch, to apply for a grant for this year’s program.
Chris was one of the 12 recipients of a Komatsu Live your Dream grant for 2025, which provides employees with $10,000 to put towards a charity or community initiative of their choice.
Chris’s support went towards The Sammy D Foundation, a violence prevention charity dedicated to helping young people live their best lives free from violence. Their purpose is to connect and empower young people through education programs in schools, sporting clubs, workplaces and the broader community. The foundation’s goal is simple yet powerful: to end violence by building resilience, empathy and conflict resolution skills among young Australians.
“I learnt about the Foundation through local news stories highlighting the need for ongoing education for young people at risk, and also through my wife Kathy’s involvement on the Foundation’s board, I witnessed first-hand the incredible work they do,” Chris says.
“Seeing the positive stories from past winners made me realise I could make a difference to a charity that needed some support.”
His dream aimed to extend the Sammy D Foundation’s reach by helping them fund anti-bullying and violence prevention programs for disadvantaged schools. These schools often face barriers to accessing these vital programs, despite being in most need.
“Thanks to the Live Your Dream program, the Sammy D Foundation can now deliver 18 Impact presentations in disadvantaged schools, educating about 540 young people. These presentations aim to change attitudes towards violence, equip students with conflict resolution strategies and foster safer communities,” Chris says.
“The Foundation was incredibly appreciative of the generous donation and support, and the meaningful difference in the lives of young people and their families.
“I feel very fortunate to have been part of the Live Your Dream program. It’s amazing to see the real difference this funding makes to charities doing such important work.”