The act of giving back is in full swing for staff and residents of Paeroa’s Oceania Ohinemuri Rest Home who are raising awareness and funds during the month of October for Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand’s Pink Ribbon Fundraiser.
Nine Ohinemuri residents and a few staff members kicked off their main campaign on October 2, raising $1000 for the charity with a bake sale and raffle stall outside Paeroa Four Square.
Staff members Aimee Iremonger and Abby Day baked cakes, cookies and fudge and donated all sorts of pink goods for the raffle alongside other staff.
Activities assistant Samantha Connors told The Profile they were proud to have raised $1000 just two days into their campaign.
It was a team effort, Samantha said, and she wanted to thank everyone for their support and donations to the cause.
The residents were a bit shy at first, but after Samantha said hello to people and introduced the residents – they were more confident, she said.
It was really important for them to talk with other people in the community, she said.
“People shared stories about breast cancer and they knew someone who had been through it themselves.”
“I think spreading awareness as well is really important. I’ve got a friend that I got the idea from,” she said.
“She’s going through breast cancer at the moment now and she just spreads kindness and positivity, even though she’s going through chemotherapy and having it really rough.
“I thought, what can we do in our little old town of Paeroa to help?”
The next fundraising event was a staff and resident Dress Up in Pink Day on October 23, where staff were encouraged to donate a gold coin, she said.
“Instead of wearing the uniform, they dress up and have fun for the day and bring a donation and we fundraise that way.”
There were still raffle tickets available for the public to buy from the rest home’s reception, as well as BCFNZ merchandise, she said.
The raffle will be drawn on October 30.
DETAILS: To donate online to the Oceania Ohinemuri Rest Home Breast Cancer Foundation Fundraiser, visit fundraise.bcf.org.nz/s/23677/27905. To purchase a raffle ticket, visit reception at 24 Keepa Ave, Paeroa.
-By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
