Saying thanks with heartfelt gifts
Two New Plymouth Lions clubs helped get the We Heart Taranaki campaign over the $1.2 million fundraising line.
Pakeke Lions Club has given $7000 and the Egmont Lions Club’s parting gesture has been to donate $5000 and what’s left in its coffers.
After 41 years the Egmont club is closing and club members agreed wholeheartedly to the final gift towards the new $3.6 million angiography machine for the people of Taranaki at Base Hospital.
Sisters and club members Lynne Shanholtzer (president) and Robyn Harvey says their vote was personal.
‘‘I don’t think there’s a person in our lives who’s not affected by heart disease,’’ Robyn says. ‘‘It’s so widespread.’’
They lost their sister Kaye Haase to a sudden heart attack when she was 52 and their dad suffered a cardiac arrest at 50 and died following an aorta aneurism when he was 65.
Even Robyn, who is slim and fit, has cardiac issues. ’’It just sits there and bites you.’’
As does growing older, which is the main reason the Egmont Lions Club is calling it a day.
‘‘Retention was down and recruitment was not wonderful,’’ Robyn says. ‘‘A lot of our members were older and couldn’t do the events or hold positions.’’
Giving to the We Heart Taranaki campaign was also an easy decision for the Pakeke Lions Club.
‘‘It (heart disease) touches all of us...’’ Peter Gaines
‘‘Our members are compassionate people and when we knew there was a need it was a matter of mere minutes to secure the permission of members to make the donation,’’ says club secretary Peter Gaines. ’’It (heart disease) touches all of us – the high, the low, the rich and poor.’’
The Lions club’s contribution comes from running the Puff ‘n Stuff train in Brooklands Park by the zoo at weekends from late September through to Easter. For about 35 years the club has been offering gold coin rides to people young and old, although it is the children who get the biggest thrill out of having a go on the brightly painted two-carriage train, which doesn’t need tracks.
The clubs’ efforts, plus a huge amount of support from other community organisations, schools, businesses and individuals has made the new lifesaving machinery possible, says Taranaki Health Foundation general manager Bry Kopu.
The angiography machine and suite is now operating.