Turning recycling into cash
One service group relies on your recycling abilities to be able to support other groups’ fundraising efforts.
Hinuera-Te Poi Lions has been operating for 43 years. On the first Saturday of each month, except January, they run the paper drive, as a fundraiser for groups, schools and charities.
John Hill, vice president of the service group, co-ordinates the collection.
It is a fairly simple fundraiser, and results in $250, part of which Hinuera-Te Poi Lions subsidise, however, sometimes the club can scramble for someone to do the collection.
‘‘We go through peaks and troughs. We get lots of groups wanting to do it, then we are chasing around for people, then it’s too many. It’s a bit like the tide,’’ says Hill.
‘‘It was a close one last month, the Guides came to our rescue.’’
Collecting this Saturday is the Matamata College 1st XV rugby team heading to Argentina, followed by St Josephs Catholic School in December.
Due to the efficiency of recycling, the collection is not as plentiful as it used to be
‘‘Recycling bins have played a part in the reduction of paper we collect. Because recycling is so successful in a sense, the price of paper has gone down. ‘‘
The reduced cost is why Hinuera-Te Poi Lions subsidise the collection to ensure each group always takes away $250.
This has its own flow on effect, meaning the service group has to fundraise, including the slinks (dead calves) and selling chopped wood.
However, The Lions continue to give, donating chopped wood to people in need and recently enabled two college students to attend the Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
The Hinuera-Te Poi Lions meet twice monthly, which includes dinner together and listening to a speaker. Occasionally they get out for some good old Kiwi fun, like watching a live All Blacks game or visiting a shearing shed, and have entered a float in next months Christmas Parade. New members are welcome. ‘‘We are a great bunch of people, typical Kiwis, friendly, helpful, we have a good laugh and work hard for the community.’’
Although women aren’t excluded, it’s a male dominated group. Ladies nights are every few months. In December they have a Christmas party and everyone donates a tin of food.