The Star: June 14, 2018

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday June 14 2018 45
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WEEK 17-23 JUNE
Coastguard volunteers are ordinary
people doing extraordinary things
Stop by any Coastguard unit in the South
Island and you will encounter New Zealanders
calmly and professionally going about the
intense business of saving lives at sea.
National Volunteer Week provides an
opportunity for us to stop and appreciate the
invaluable contribution made by Coastguard
volunteers to our communities.
Our volunteers come from many different
walks of life but all have a desire to give back
and provide help to those who need it most.
For some Coastguard volunteers this may see
them going from being in a suit in the office
to performing a rescue in a single afternoon.
Over 300 Coastguard volunteers gave their
time and skills to help keep communities in
the South Island safe on the water last year,
Shane Torrance doesn’t fit the stereotype
of a volunteer at an older person’s day
programme. But his tattoos, shaved head,
and heavy-metal t-shirts belie a big soft
heart. Now, the older ladies who wouldn’t
let him hold their handbags while they
climbed into the Enliven van call him their
friend.
Enliven day programmes give vulnerable
older people a place to connect with
others—something that helps them live
healthier, happier, longer lives. Shane assists
on minivan runs, then serves morning
tea, chats with members, and helps with
activities (Housie, anyone?). Because
Shane knows what it feels like to almost
bringing more than 260 Kiwi’s home safely,
Many people don’t realise that each crew
member on a Coastguard rescue vessels
and every support person back at the 16
Coastguard units around the South Island are
volunteers. All Coastguard crew members
are trained to the highest standards, training
that they dedicate hours to in addition to
working and family life.
Volunteers – the heart of our
community at Presbyterian Support
lose independence due to health issues, he
enjoys helping others struggling with theirs.
The theme of this year’s volunteer
week is “Volunteers - The Heart of Our
Community”. Certainly, as a social services
non-profit, Presbyterian Support couldn’t
achieve what we do without people like
Shane. Bringing his young daughter into
Enliven during school holidays, Shane is
raising another big-hearted, giving person.
Presbyterian Support offers many
opportunities to volunteer through our
Enliven and Family Works groups. To
learn more, call Megan or Hillary on 03
366 542. Or visit www.psuppersouthorg.
nz/volunteer.
Volunteering Canterbury
We wish to thank all the volunteers
who have donated time during the past
year to provide service to our community.
Volunteering Canterbury exists to help
volunteers, community organisations
and businesses make a difference, so
together we can eliminate poverty, save
the environment and make Canterbury the
best place to live in the world.
They would like to extend an invitation
to everyone to support their community by
signing up for free at their website www.
volcan.org.nz and join the 13,000 other
volunteers already helping their favourite
causes.
Every year, Volunteering Canterbury’s
286 member community organisations
help 36,000 people across Canterbury, a
staggering 6% of the population. You too
can be part of this team making such a
difference to the way we live.
Some of the services Volunteering
Canterbury offers:
• Recruiting and supporting volunteers to
assist community organisations and people
in need
• Free registration on our website
• Huge choice of volunteer roles available
• Regular workshops and network
meetings
• Group volunteering opportunities for
businesses and other groups
Why become a volunteer?
• Connect with people, keep active
• Help the community and environment
• Learn new skills, boost your confidence
and CV
How to volunteer?
1. As an Individual – create your free
account at www.volcan.org.nz You can
search for suitable roles by category, area
and time commitment.
2. Group Volunteering via the contact page
of the website.
3. Other Services call 03 366 2442 or 0800
865 268.
We sincerely thank our
wonderful volunteers for
their valuable contribution
to Orana Wildlife Park.
We are currently seeking
passionate people
to join our
volunteer team,
for a variety
of roles
including
guiding
visitors and
driving our
Safari Shuttle
(particularly
on weekends).
If you would
like to join
our team,
please contact
us to obtain
an application
pack.
Phone 359 7109 extn 819
volunteers@oranawildlifepark.co.nz
www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz
Thank you!
Thank you!
It’s Volunteer Awareness Week and New Zealand Red Cross wants to thank
all the amazing people who volunteer for us. The programmes we deliver to
vulnerable people in New Zealand communities are diverse and far-reaching
– and we simply couldn’t do it without you!
Want to join us? Volunteering in your community is fun and rewarding.
There are many ways you can help:
• Youth Programmes
• Meals on Wheels
• Community Transport
• Disaster Response
For more info: phone 0800 RED CROSS
go to redcross.org.nz follow us on Facebook
• Events
• Shops
THANK YOU!
To all our wonderful, amazing,
fabulous and truly brilliant volunteers.
We Can’t Do This Work Without YOU!
Last year our volunteers donated 32,409
hours of driving, visiting, talking, listening,
laughing, and playing. They positively
impacted the lives of hundreds of people,
young and old, in the upper South Island.
This year, why not join them?!
To learn more about volunteering with our
service groups Family Works and Enliven,
call your local service centre:
Christchurch Ashburton Rangiora
03 366 5472 03 308 5868 03 313 8588
www.psuppersouth.org.nz/volunteer
Supporting People to Be Safe, Strong, and Connected