Martina and Evelyn join in the fun at Marfell Kindy in New Plymouth
The following account was written by Martina O’Driscoll, Funding and Relationships Manager.
Evelyn, John and I recently travelled around the Manawatu and Taranaki regions to visit our Funding Managers and Local Allocation Committee to see first hand, some of the fantastic projects funded locally with donations from The Tindall Foundation. This was the second trip in our tour of the country, the first of which was to Northland in August.
This year has seen a number of changes to our team here at the Foundation and in light of this, we thought it would be great for our Funding Managers to meet John (our not-so-new Manager who started in March) and to put a face to my name now that I have taken on the new role of Funding Manager Liaison as Evelyn prepares to retire in December. Ev has done an amazing job in this role for over 10 years, she has been busy passing on her wisdom and knowledge to me to ensure the Local Allocation Committees and Funding Managers continue to receive great support from staff at The Tindall Foundation.
On our trip, we visited the following individuals and organisations, we were so impressed by all that they are achieving in their local communities and the wonderful difference they are making to those who need support.
United Way New Plymouth (our local Funding Manager)
We met with Jeremy Campbell, Team Leader, who supports United Way to co-ordinate the many volunteers, who donate their time to visit organisations that have applied for funding, evaluate applications and to be aware of the trends/needs for the region. They provide an invaluable service to United Way, The Tindall Foundation and the wider community.
Volunteer Resource Centre, Palmerston North
Volunteering Resource Centre Manawatu and Districts is an incorporated charitable trust that supports and promotes volunteering in all its forms. We met with Norelle Ward who was very passionate about volunteer opportunities for individuals, organisations and businesses to benefit the region. She is a very inspiring woman and so enthusiastic about the work she does coordinating volunteers across Palmerston North.
Eltham Community Care Centre
Marilyne Gernholfe and a vibrant bunch of volunteers run an opportunity shop and foodbank. In the past 18 months they have also created a community garden that supports the foodbank, it has involvement from the local community and local kindergarten to support the population of Eltham. The site was very impressive producing a wide variety of seasonal vegetables. It was great to see the local kindy’s involvement too, they have their own raised garden, regularly tend to their crop and stop for a picnic after their hard work.
Taranaki Allocation Committee
The Local Allocation Comittee is made up of a group of five active volunteers from around the region of Taranaki. The committee has a great knowledge of the needs of the community and region. They review applications and make recommendations for our Trustees to consider when making a decision regarding the funding of an initiative/organisation in the Taranaki Region.
New Plymouth Foodbank
Mike Marrick manages the local foodbank supporting the wider community of New Plymouth. The foodbank also provides supplies to four local kindergartens to ensure children have full lunchboxes, stay healthy and are ready to learn and play. This has created an opportunity for the kindergartens to introduce basic cooking skills and recipe sharing initiatives with children and parents. We went along to Marfell Kindy and it just happened to be their end of term ‘Wheel Day’! Evelyn and I got to ride on a scooter!
Taranaki Womens Refuge, New Plymouth
We met with the team at Taranaki Womens Refuge who provide advice and support to women whatever choices they make, services are confidential and free to women in the region. Services include face to face, crisis phone line, home visits, advocacy, support and counselling. They provide an invaluable service to women.
We also met with Mel Wilson, a consultant who is working with us on the formation of a Community Foundation in Taranaki. We have worked with Mel for the past five years on a range of generosity programmes such as payroll giving and pension giving.
We would like to thank all the volunteers, community organisations and the Local Allocation Committee for making us feel very welcome and for sharing their knowledge and expertise with us.