Applications Open for Charity House Funds

Rotorua community organisations are set to benefit once again from the Toi Ohomai Charity House. Thirty thousand dollars will be injected into the community following this year’s Charity House sale. 

The project, which has been running since 2013, sees Toi Ohomai carpentry students build a home with support from industry partners. Professionals McDowell Real Estate has been on board since the project’s inception, using their expertise to market and sell the property, and the money raised is given to Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust to distribute throughout the community. 

The latest house, which was built by carpentry students in 2022, was sold and the profit of $30,000 is now available to be dished out to various community organisations. 

As well as Rotary Rotorua Sunrise and Professionals McDowell Real Estate, Toi Ohomai partners with a large group of industry experts, without whom, this project would not be possible. The build of this house not only helps students gain hands-on experience but contributes to the community. 

The project also meets one of Rotary’s key areas of focus to enhance humanitarian service by participating in a local service project related to economic and community development.

Toi Ohomai Faculty Dean Primary Industries, Trades and Infrastructure Brian Dillon says the Charity House Project is one of the many community partnerships at Toi Ohomai and has wide reaching effects across Rotorua.  

“While the house itself is an outcome of the carpentry programme, it’s much more than just a house. Our students get to be part of this project from the start, and they understand the social and community outcomes associated with its success.

“They get a real sense of purpose from being involved in the build and get to appreciate the entire build process.”

Brian says many of the students go on to gain apprenticeships and become trade qualified, but also remain part of the wider community who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the distribution of funds. 

Rotary Rotorua Sunrise past president and Charity House Project Coordinator Sue Gunn says it is rewarding to partner with Toi Ohomai as part of this project.

“We are very excited to receive grant applications from local community groups. We encourage groups who are registered under the Charities Commission to apply online via the Rotary Rotorua Sunrise website. The application process is simple; however, we can support people if they have questions.” 

Application forms can be downloaded directly for the Rotary Rotorua Sunrise website, and applications close at 5pm on Friday, 23 June. Applications will be considered by a distribution committee at the end of June.