SNN_April 2023 Issue_web

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 12
What Aimee Did…
Every year Aimee Borich generously offers her time and energy
to make a difference to others (and the Trust) at Christmas.
—Aimee Borich
Wrapping is my happy place,
I love gift wrapping!
Aimee was introduced to the supportive work of the NZ
Spinal Trust when she was working on the Spinal Ward at
Burwood Hospital a few years ago. She’s one of many Te
Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury staff who help over the
frantic two weeks of wrapping action, in addition to many
others from across our wider community.
Aimee is always “on” … bright, smiley, enthusiastic,
unflappable. She finds creative ways to approach the
wrapping that keep the task fresh.
“Christmas / gift wrapping is just so much fun!! It’s a great
way to challenge your brain to see how you can wrap
something that isn’t perfectly square.
“There have been some interesting ones over the years
(usually jumbo-sized, oddly shaped, or pointy/pokey)
which feels so smugly satisfying once successfully
wrapped.
GRATEFUL—The Palms Shopping Centre provides the NZST the
opportunity each year to raise money and be seen in our community.
It’s not often that we are not only willing to
feed someone’s addiction, but grateful to be
able to do so. Aimee Borich is addicted to
wrapping and we happily feed that addiction
every Christmas.
In the lead up to Christmas, The Palms Shopping Centre
in Christchurch provide us with a wrapping station and
all the tools needed to wrap gifts. For two weeks we staff
this space and wrap gifts for a donation to NZ Spinal
Trust’s work. There’s a total of 46 shifts involving up to
128 people. It covers weekdays and weekends, late night
shopping and Christmas Eve.
“Although equally, being able to wrap something simple
and square / rectangular, with ribbon decoration, in well
under a minute is almost just as satisfying especially
seeing the stunned look on the customer’s face that you’re
already done before they can get their donation paid.”
And it’s that kind of attitude that’s earned her the title of
‘Chief Elf—Wrapping dept’.
We’re appreciative that The Palms Shopping Centre
provides this opportunity each year to raise money and
be seen in our community. But without the support of
awesome volunteers like Aimee, we couldn’t possibly
manage it.
Last year Aimee happily took on 11 shifts. She was there on
the first day, and also on the last. She took on double shifts
where there were gaps that couldn’t be filled and was more
than happy to be tagged in at the last minute where
possible if people had to cancel (due to COVID-19 etc.).
Aimee says “Wrapping is my happy place, I love gift
wrapping!”