Just bought a post office’
ran into trouble when they asked the community to fund it. By running the postal service, the information centre can launch without an extensive need for charity.
‘‘The post office was a perfect fit for us,’’ Wotten says. ‘‘We could fund our own enterprise using a commercial model. I do TOM LEE / STUFF not think any other business would haveworked for us sowe out the word out to the community and they supported it.’’
Fundraising started with chairperson Karen Summerhays establishing a Pledge Me page to get the capital of $50,000 to put the plan in action. On top of this Wotten sent out thousands of leaflets all over Te Puke asking for paper pledges which proved popularwith the older generation.
‘‘We had an old lady, about 80 years old, who said going to the post office was her big outing,’’ Summerhays said. ‘‘She would head out, pay her bills, and catch up with her friends down at the post office.’’
Summerhays says it is about more thanmoney. ‘‘It shows the community has endorsed the idea and valued the post office. We feel empowered by the support of the community.’’
And that final $5000 did eventuate – from Leo and Diane Whittle, who had sold their Te Puke property a few years ago to become ‘‘grey nomads’’ roaming around the country, but who found a layby for their motorhome in Carterton, in the Wairarapa to call Wotten to confirm the cash.
During our interview she sent his phonecall to voicemail three times until finally picking up.
Her eyes widened for a flash as she listened to the caller and then regained her composure, calculated themaths in her head, then checked it again.
Finally a smile: ‘‘I think . . . I think we just bought a post office,’’ she says.