Ben Rickerby, pictured, is Musical Director of the Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass Band which is teaming up with the Salvation Army Brass Band to put on a fundraising concert.
Staff across the University are doing their bit to support those in need ahead of the holiday season.
From collecting food to collecting soaps as well as putting on a concert, staff are pitching in for local charities.
A different kind of gift
“I hope more and more offices choose to make charitable donations rather than, or in addition to, Secret Santas. Imagine the good you could do with all those $5 - $10 contributions,” Development and Alumni Relations Office Prospect Researcher Jennie Henderson says.
The DARO office in the Clocktower, is supporting the Presbyterian Support Otago Foodbank; a collection box for non-perishable food items is stationed just next to door into office G.41.
“The Foodbank is such a lifeline for so many, and it will only become more important as the cost of living continues to rise. A collection is a simple way to show our support, and it helps to keep the Foodbank and other charities in people’s minds at this time of year as well.”
Everyone is welcome to contribute what they feel is appropriate before Friday, 15 December. Suggested donation items can be found here.
For anyone partaking in Secret Santa, a native tree is a fantastic alternative to consumer junk at just $10 from Trees that Count, she says. “The Good Registry offers gift cards that can be donated to 65 different NZ charities, so there’s bound to be a cause that moves everyone.”
Making more than music
A concert will give the audience a chance to sing along to their favourite Christmas carols while also contributing to the Salvation Army, Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships Manager Ben Rickerby says.
Rickerby is the Musical Director for the Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass Band which is combining with the Salvation Army Brass Band to put on a concert.
“The Salvation Army provides support and makes a difference to those in need, particularly at Christmas,” he says.
The concert will be held at 6pm on Sunday, 10 December at the Salvation Army Citadel, 160 Crawford St. Entry is by way of a donation to the Salvation Army Foodbank and Christmas treats are encouraged, he says.
Gifts assembled to be given to Foster Hope.
All fostering hope
There is more than one collection site on campus for Foster Hope – a charity that supports children and young people in foster care in Otago and Southland.
Teaming up with the Dunedin Branch of the Otago Women’s Caucus, Social Impact Studio manager Sze-En Watts has a box set up in the studio – adjacent to the Information Services Building, and will accept donations until 5pm, Tuesday, 5 December.
“Please join us in supporting Foster Hope’s efforts to ensure every young person in care receives a gift this Christmas,” she says.
Health Sciences Divisional Office Administrator Client Services Helen Henry says there are boxes set up to collect for Foster Hope in the Health Sciences Divisional Office in the Physiotherapy building, the School of Physiotherapy, as well as Dentistry and Zoology buildings. There is also a box in Pacific Edge and one in the Humanities Divisional Office. Gifts are accepted until Thursday, 30 November.
“Christmas is a special time of year, largely focussed on family. Some children are not part of a traditional family. It is important that they are not left out,” Henry says.
“The byline of the charity is ‘We believe that every child in care deserves to know that their community cares about them’. We are fully behind that sentiment.”
Make a donation, meet friendly colleagues
Food Help Dunedin is a community group that helps people experiencing food insecurity or food poverty, Bioethics lecturer Dr Tania Moerenhout says.
“With the current cost of living crisis, more people struggle to put food on the table, and Food Help Dunedin brings the community together to provide support.”
Food Help Dunedin has a Facebook page where people can ask for assistance, or people can offer food to those in need.
“They also provide Christmas food parcels for about 100 families and individuals every year, which is a massive and heartwarming undertaking.”
Moerenhout says the community aspect of the charity is what makes it important – there is no big organisation in the background assisting, it’s run by the community for the community.
“We are supporting the Christmas food parcels collection. People can donate non-perishable food, [unused] toys for kids under 16, and/or money to help the group get the Christmas parcels together.”
Moerenhout encourages people to visit the Bioethics Centre to make a donation – no matter how small – and take the opportunity to get to know people from a different University department. A collection point is also set up at Student Health.
Donations can also be made to 38-9004-0812074-03.
Dr Tania Moerenhout, pictured, is collecting for Food Help Dunedin.
Soaps, shampoos, smellies and stuff
The Women’s Refuge and the Dunedin Night Shelter are two services that help out people who often have very little, Department of Marine Science professor Abby Smith says.
Women’s Refuge supports women and children experiencing family violence, while the Dunedin Night Shelter offers free emergency accommodation to anyone in need.
Women’s Refuge would love any fancy soaps, perfumes, toiletries, cosmetics and toys, Smith says.
“People there often don’t have a budget for Christmas presents – nice stuff for free lets them enjoy a little treat in a tough life.”
The Night Shelter requires more practical things such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, shampoo, dishwashing liquid, cloths and towels, laundry soap and household cleaning products.
All donations must be new, unopened and unused, and need to be dropped off by the end of November.
“We are suggesting that University staff have a look in their cupboards for things that they might never use, and bring them in.”
Collection boxes are in:
- Room 101 of the Marine Science building at 310 Castle Street
-Zoology reception at 340 Great King Street
-Botany tea room at 464 Great King Street
-Human Nutrition Reception, room 7N8 in Science 2, 70 Union Street West
-St David 2 at 75 St David Street
-Centre for Sustainability at 563 Castle Street North
-College of Education reception in the Owheo building at 133 Union Street East.