Media Release March 2011

Botany Community Services Show Support For Christchurch

As the nation bands together in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, Botany’s community services are assembling for a special street-party fundraiser, with all proceeds going to The Times Community Fund.

The Botany Meet the Community Street Party, hosted by Botany Town Centre on 12 March, will bring together more than 45 local community services. As bucket collectors roam the centre collecting donations for the southern city, the participating Botany community services aim to raise awareness about their role in the community and how their organisation may be of help during a time of need.

The Botany Meet the Community Street Party promises to be a great family day, with an official opening by Auckland Mayor Len Brown. Uxbridge Centre Manager Tony Morgan will MC, and a wide range of exhibitor stalls will line Town Centre Drive, with a confirmed presence from Mobile Policing, the Auckland Council Community Advisor, Civil Defence, St John and the Fire Service, among others.

Botany Town Centre Senior Marketing Manager Desiree Clark says, “We are delighted to host the first Botany Meet the Community Street Party and be involved in this community initiative which has chosen to support Christchurch.”

Botany Community Constable Garry Boles, who has rallied the participating community services together says, “The Botany Meet the Community Street Party is friendly way for the community to better arm themselves with knowledge, and is a chance for local services to spread the message about safer communities.

“The events that unfolded in Christchurch have been a real awakening, and many people are asking themselves, ‘Are we prepared and informed about what to do in these circumstances, and who to turn to at a time of need?’”

The Botany Meet the Community Street Party has long been a project in the pipeline for Constable Boles, who adds, “This is one way to show our support for the city of Christchurch, which has experienced true community camaraderie in recent weeks. It is part of our aim to retain this community spirit for the future with refashioned neighborhood communication.”

The Te Waihono A Kupe kapahaka group will open the performance stage, and a range of great talent will follow, including local singers and musicians, the All Star Cheerleaders, the Carter Chan Dance Performance Centre, an accordion band and Scottish country dancers.

A fun-filled family outing, The Botany Meet the Community Street Party supported by the Auckland Council and the Botany Community Action Network, invites you to enjoy some great local entertainment, become better informed about the community services available to you and your family, and support the people of Christchurch by donating to The Times Community Fund.

The Details:
What: Botany Meet the Community Street Party
When: Saturday 12 March 2011, 10am – 3pm
Where: Botany Town Centre, Town Centre Drive, 588 Chapel Rd, East Tamaki

ends

© Scoop Media