Bay of Plenty Times, 15 July 2010Now is the time to thank the people prepared to go the extra mile for their communities. Nominations for the Kiwi Battler campaign opened yesterday. The project aims to recognise New Zealanders who have made a positive impact on lives in their area.
The Bay of Plenty is one of 13 regions taking part in the campaign, with the regional winner to be announced in September. The Bay of Plenty has over 850 people working in voluntary positions and giving their time to help others. Volunteer Western Bay of Plenty manager, Di Walters, said the organisation had 874 volunteers signed up. However, she said there were many more community heroes not on its register who deserved recognition.
"There are a lot of people that cannot give to the community, so by supporting other people who give their time to the community, they are doing a really great thing. It is gratitude, a way of saying thank you. The time some people put into volunteering and the age they do it at is just amazing. We have one guy who is in his 70s and he has been volunteering for years and years now."
Ms Walters said there were a lot of organisations which would not be around were it not for the volunteers who worked there. "It would be nice if the organisations that the volunteers worked for would nominate them for their efforts," she said.
Kiwi Battler was established by economist Gareth Morgan and his wife, Joanne. A total of $165,000 will be split between 13 regional winners, their chosen charities, and the overall Kiwi Battler winner. Each regional winner receives $1000, and $10,000 will be donated to a charity of their choice. Nominations opened yesterday and close on July 27.
To nominate a Kiwi Battler for Tauranga, go online to www.kiwibattler.com.
The final result comes down to a public vote. Voting opens on August 18 and closes on September 1. Winners will be announced in September.