Elbow grease pays off for Tuakau group
The Tuakau Clean Up and Planting Group have been named finalists in The Beautiful Awards, run by Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
The group is up against two others for the Community Environmental Initiative Award.
Co-ordinator of the group Jacqui Church said it was a fantastic achievement, and was a testament to the group’s strong application for the award.
‘‘I was really wrapt, happily surprised.
‘‘It acknowledges all the hard work of our small group and the groups that support us.’’
She hoped it would mean more people would get stuck in and help to improve their communities.
‘‘Hopefully it encourages people who have volunteered over the past five years, and hopefully it will encourage others to become proactive within the community, rather than snuggling up at home on the couch. We are stronger together than we are apart.’’
She said she will be attending the awards gala in Hawke’s Bay on October 13, which will be a great get-together with likeminded people.
‘‘It’s about celebrating people who are committed to their communities, and rather than whingeing, being proactive about it.’’
Since its inception, the group has planted more than 300 trees, adopted trees out so that people take care of them, and hosted clean up days as well. FFSS is thrilled with the addition of the hams to its hampers. ‘‘It is such a great feeling to know that families facing hardship can enjoy a special Christmas with plenty to eat,’’ general manager Jessica Timmins said.
‘‘We are involved in the Smiles for Christmas campaign because we have seen first hand the difference it makes to the most vulnerable families in our area.
‘‘The appreciation we see from these families including lots of tears, laughter, joy and hugs is priceless.’’
Smiles for Christmas 2017 will officially launch October 31, a little earlier this year to ensure the 100 hampers are bursting at the seams with goodies.
Readers can support the appeal with donations of food and toys.
FFSS would appreciate donations of non-perishable celebration foods; non-perishable basic food items; excellent quality, hardly used or new toys and children’s books; the kinds of things that say ‘‘I care’’ such as pretty soaps, deodorants, aftershaves and trinkets.
Donations can be dropped off, from October 31, under the Christmas tree at the Franklin County News office and Franklin Family Support Services, both in Pukekohe.