Winter is on its way and the unfortunate truth is that many families in the community will not have enough blankets to keep their kids warm on winter nights.
To assist the plight of these families, Howick Rotary will commence the collection of blankets and quilts for its Blankets 4 Kids 4 Winter Appeal on May 1 and it will run for the month of May.
This year it is being supported by the Howick Village Association who have added their organisational skills, resources and network to provide additional momentum to this year’s appeal.
This follows the successful Rotary effort last year when more than 350 blankets were distributed to families in need through Stand Children Services and All Saints Anglican Church.
Jane Newbury, Howick Village Association town centre manager, said “The association is thrilled to add its support to a wonderful community project.”
Both Stand and All Saints were extremely grateful for the blankets they received last year.
Pene Frost, regional manager for Stand, said she “was amazed at last year’s results adding that many grandparents have become care givers in today’s world and they were ill-equipped to provide winter warmth so the blankets we were able to provide from the appeal were a godsend”.
This year Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church has been added to the charities to get a greater reach to families in need.
The collection points this year will be the Howick Information Centre, Howick Village Optometrist – both in Picton Street – and Grasslands in Moore Street.
Many schools and community groups are also expected to join in again and special collections can be arranged for these groups as needed through the Rotary contact.
Last year 40 hand woven and teddy bears largely from the “knitting in public” groups in Howick and Botany were donated to the Littlemore charity for the Middlemore Infant Birth Department.
Madeleine East, President of Howick Rotary, said, “Following the strong support from the local community last year, the club believes that this very worthwhile project should be held every year before the onset of winter.
“We have even developed a special kid’s logo for the project to increase public recognition. Hopefully there will be an even greater community response this year”.
For more information contact Bill Charkow 021 663022 or Rob Mouncey 021 413341. Want to know more about the appeal or Rotary? Visit www.howickrotary.org.nz
