Bets are on at Makikihi

Makikihi School is hoping to play its cards right this evening and its games night is a winning fundraiser for the township’s community hall, which the school has a vital stake in. Getting their hand in are, from left, Diane Radcliffe (school office admin

‘‘The hall is our bread and butter, it’s our way of giving back to the community that gives to us. If we don’t use the hall we lose it.’’ Tina Ivamy

Makikihi School principal

A fundraising evening is on the cards tonight as Makikihi School works hard to keep its community hall open in light of Covid-19.

School staff have made a few changes to its annual fundraising event – a quiz night which aids in the upkeep of the hall, and have decided to offer games, fun and food as an alternative.

The school with a roll of 28 uses the neighbouring hall for a variety of activities including cooking classes and physical education, and struggles to pay the $400 annual maintenance bill.

School principal Tina Ivamy said hall users and committee member numbers had dwindled over the years.

‘‘The school tries to raise enough money to pay power, rates and maintenance.’’

Ivamy said the school didn’t want to put pressure on Makikihi business owners to come up with quiz raffle prizes this year so opted for a games night instead.

‘‘We are being sensitive to Covid19.

‘‘The hall is our bread and butter, it’s our way of giving back to the community that gives to us.

‘‘If we don’t use the hall we lose it,’’ she said.

Ivamy said the evening would also be a way to focus on the hall.

She said the BYO drinks and plate event tonight would kick off at 7pm and would include games such as Monopoly, bingo, dominoes, Cluedo, Pictionary, Scattergories as well as supper.

Entry will be by donation to the Makikihi Community Hall.

‘‘We are trying to get people together in a low-key way,’’ Ivamy said.