Media Release

Corporate in the community creates impact

Knocking over a wall might not sound the most constructive way to improve your local community, but battered concrete is just what CARE Waitakere Trust needed.

An afternoon’s demolition - completed by a team of Vodafone corporate volunteers and organised by United Way NZ - means the West Auckland charitable trust can now start work on a major renovation of its Te Atatu premises.

CARE is located in Te Atatu Peninsula and offers affordable professional counselling and a free budgeting service. With more people asking for help, they needed to expand. Five new budgeting/counselling rooms and a larger reception area will be added to the building. The extension should be completed by the end of this year.

Counselling Service Co-ordinator Kathy Clist says the project is very important for CARE’s future.

“In the last few years, demand for our services has increased dramatically. With a building which will be twice the size of our current premises we will be much better equipped to meet the needs of our community.”

Vodafone’s team of 13 was looking for a challenge that also had some practical value so they contacted United Way NZ who organised the day on their behalf.

Team Coordinator Delphine Grieve says it was very worthwhile.

“It’s not only great to work as a team on a community project but it’s also rewarding to immediately see the difference we made,” she says.

Corporate volunteering is an increasingly popular approach for organisations who want to get involved and show support for their local community. Contact United Way NZ for more information.

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