Community groups’ efforts recognised

United Way, Otago Polytechnic and the Dunedin City Council celebrated community spirit with a grants award ceremony at Otago Polytechnic on Thursday 5 July.

Dunedin councillor Marie Laufiso, Deputy Chair Community and Culture Committee, represented Mayor Dave Cull as special guest at the event, at which 30 Otago community groups received more than $170,000 in funding.

“United Way and our partners work hard to raise money and resources in the community, so we can help families and people in the Otago community who are being left behind,” Teresa Moore, CEO United Way, says.

“Special thanks go to Phil Ker, CEO Otago Polytechnic, for its Charity House project.  This outstanding training project for students results in the community benefiting every year through United Way redistributing by way of grant allocations,” Teresa says.

Each year for the past 11 years, Otago Polytechnic carpentry students have built a four-bedroom home with guidance from lecturers and the generous support of more than 20 local businesses. The finished Charity House is auctioned and all proceeds go to United Way.

“Special thanks also go to the team at Mercy Hospital, who allow us to manage their funds for best use in the community,” Teresa says.

“Grant money also comes from the generous individuals who donate or payroll give to United Way so we can redistribute funds into the community.

“The total amount we are distributing into the Otago community this year is $173,180.  

“We are looking for more donations from the community for next year’s funding. We can build this fund by attracting more donations, corporate sponsorship and payroll giving and building on our Otago endowment fund.

“This collective funding can make a real difference to the amount we can allocate.

“Special thanks go to The Tindall Foundation, who charge United Way with managing their community grant distribution in Otago and in many other areas throughout New Zealand,” Teresa says.