Community Benefits from Charity House Fund
Sunday, 20 Oct 2024
A range of charitable organisations across Rotorua have had a cash injection thanks to the Toi Ohomai Charity House Project.
The Charity House project began in 2013 and since its inception, it has provided hundreds of ākonga (students) with hands-on learning opportunities while also benefiting the wider community.
One house has been built per year by carpentry ākonga at Toi Ohomai with the support of industry partners, it is then sold with the proceeds being distributed to Rotorua community groups.
In addition to a range of industry supporters, Toi Ohomai partners with Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust to distribute the funds.
This year, more than $25,000 was distributed to various Rotorua organisations including Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, Plunket and Age Concern.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, Toi Ohomai Tumu Whenua | Executive Director Kieran Hewitson and Rotary Rotorua Sunrise representative Heinz Fett announced this year’s funding recipients at an event at Toi Ohomai recently.
Rotorua’s St Chads Lifeskills Hub received $6203 to help with making their building more accessible.
St Chads supports people with disabilities to gain greater independence and learn and maintain valuable life skills. They also prioritise improving health and well-being and interacting meaningfully with the community.
St Chads Lifeskills Hub General Manager Kath Curran says they were very grateful to receive funding towards building an exit ramp outside the back of their building.
“While we are at the standards for emergency exits, our Art Room is very popular and having another exit ramp that caters for wheelchair accessibility, as well as people using other mobility devices, adds another level of safety should we need this emergency exit.”
House of Science was awarded $4,666 and Resource Designer and Operations Manager Jane Hoggard says this funding will purchase a new science resource kit for the local Rotorua Lakes House of Science library.
“The House of Science is a charitable trust that aims to see every child in New Zealand become scientifically literate. This means they have a clear understanding of science concepts and processes in their daily lives.
“We want to keep children curious and teach them how to think critically. We do this by providing primary and intermediate schools around New Zealand with relevant, comprehensive, bilingual resource kits containing all the materials needed to carry out engaging science lessons in the classroom.
“The support of organisations like the Charity House is invaluable in ensuring that our resources remain accessible to as many schools and students as possible around New Zealand.”
Toi Ohomai Events and Engagement Manager Megan Wheeler says this project and its community outcomes wouldn’t be possible without the support from industry and trade partners.
“We are so grateful to our wonderful partners for their support. Many of them have been with us since this project started in 2013.
“Their support helps us to provide quality hands on learning opportunities for our ākonga, as well as enabling us to support our community with much needed funding.”
Proceeds from the Charity House were awarded to:
Age Concern Rotorua - $1,886.00
EquiSucceed NZ. Formally Rotorua RDA - $3,270.00
House of Science Rotorua - $4,666.67
Parksyde Older Persons Community Centre Trust - $1,535.68
Rotorua Mountain Bike Club Inc - $2,500.00
Rotorua Rowing Club - $1,006.25
Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust Rotorua - $2,000.00
Rural Support Trust BOP - $2,500.00
St Chads Communication Centre Trust - $6,203.00
The Charity House Project wouldn’t be possible without the following industry partners and suppliers:
Carpet Court Rotorua
Hepburn Electrical Ltd
Hume Pine (NZ) Ltd
Hydroflow
John Chittenden Design
Kohla
Lee Brothers Cabinets & Joinery
Lighting Direct
Marley NZ
Mitre 10 Mega Rotorua
Plumbing World
Eves (formerly Professionals McDowell Real Estate)
Redstag Timber
Resene Paints
Rheem NZ
Roofing Industries (Taupo) Ltd
Rylock Bay of Plenty
Foley’s Rotorua – Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying
Dora Remmerswaal
NZ Scaffolding
Coldrick Roofing Limited
Barry Anderson Plastering
Buteline NZ
Greens Tapware
Bradford Gold Insulation
GIB NZ
Photo: From left: Rotary Rotorua Sunrise representative Heinz Fett, St Chads General Manager Kath Curran and Toi Ohomai Regional Director Kieran Hewitson.