Pike River: Family Support Fund

Its hard to even begin to imagine how the loss of these 29 men at the Pike River Coal Mine is affecting their community and families.  My thoughts - and those of the rest of New Zealand are with them.  

Please give generously.

Help Build a Home, Tile By Tile

In September 2010, 13 year old Courtney is travelling with her Mum, and 5 other teenagers to help build houses in the slums of Tijuana, Mexico with Tile by Tile.

Volunteers pay for everything in the project, including the cost of building materials, furniture and basic living needs for the family they build for.

By donating only $5, you will buy a tile for the house. 400 tiles represents Courtney's portion of the whole house costs.

Give $10,000 to a Friend in Need with Give A Little

On 23rd March Givealittle.co.nz launched a new initiative to kick start a bit of good feeling amidst gloom and doom about recession.

The Wellington based social enterprise is giving the New Zealand public the chance to do something amazing for someone or something close to their hearts. It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of a friend in need, a family, a local school, favourite charity or community organisation.

‘Givealittle wants to know who you would like to give to, what you want to give and why it is deserved,’ says Givealittle.co.nz CEO Nathalie Hofsteede.

Up to $10,000 will be awarded to the submission that attracts the most givers after a month online.

‘The best way to feel good is to help someone feel better. In just 3 months since launching the website we have already seen the powerful change that can be achieved when we put people and causes we care about at the centre of our giving’ said Ms Hofsteede.

‘We have received a request from a woman wanting to replace stolen items from her elderly parents’ home, two parents wanting to shout their disabled child’s caregiver a trip home to Australia as thanks for years of hard work. It’s all wonderful stuff.’

Givealittle.co.nz will shortlist 10 submissions to become Givealittle Friends in Need projects and give the finalists advice about how to use the power of the web to reach a wider audience. Each page will have one month to gather a crowd of givers. The page with the largest number of givers (but not necessarily the most raised) will be given $1 for every giver up to a maximum of $10,000.

‘It’s about encouraging a crowd of people to give just a little to help make a big difference for a person, family or organisation,’ said Ms Hofsteede.

Online submissions will be accepted until 5pm Friday 3 April 2009 www.givealittle.co.nz/friendsinneed