Our core volunteer team are extraordinary Angels -most of whom have been volunteering with us for years now. These amazing humans give us so much and, honestly, lift us up and put the wind under our wings. They’ve become friends and family-trusted, loved and appreciated.
The Kirihimete waka (Christmas canoe) needs more than our team rowing…it needs the funders and donors who make it possible for us to purchase groceries and top up gifts.
And with some incredible local support, those costs are kept to a minimum. Special thanks go to Kainui Pack and Cool- (a locally owned produce business) who have gone above and beyond to support us for the last five years.
Fundraisers, cool stores, trucks, drivers, muscle and so much aroha, not to mention the fruit and veggie connections who’ve sponsored tens of thousands in fresh produce to fill Kai Boxes over the years, printed recipe books, donated tape and supplied thousands of Angel boxes. (More on them soon)
The local FNDC community boards – Bay of Islands- Whangaroa, Te Hiku and Kaikohe-Hokianga all contributed. Pub Charity helped with a grant to cover a third of the costs. Let ‘Em Roll Social Riders roared across the district with their awesome wairua (spirit) of aroha (love), raising funds and donating boxes of amazing toys! Kerikeri Primary, Riverview and Springbank Schools all ran fundraisers and toy drives. Advanced Build supplied hundreds of metres of wrapping paper for the second year; a spooky Whāngarei family did a Halloween fundraiser; Lynnis sold her beautiful photo cards; Z stations in Taipa and Kamo raised funds through Good In The Hood, and that’s not all…so many more donated, helped and supported.
Our BIG fundraiser took some epic angels going completely bald and a whole other group of sponsors and supporters together raising over $35,000.00!
So, as you can see, it takes many angels to row this waka (canoe) together, aye!
That’s one project. We have many more… And if you’d like to be involved, support, or partner with us, contact us. We’d love to have you on board.