OfficeMax raises $12,760 for Kiwi kids in need

OfficeMax raises $12,760 for Kiwi kids in need

The festive season can be one of the most difficult times of year for children. So before Christmas last year, OfficeMax launched a campaign to raise money for 0800 What’s Up – a free counselling helpline and web chat service for children and teenagers run by Barnardos, New Zealand’s leading children’s charity.

Just in time for kids around New Zealand returning to school for the year, OfficeMax released the do-it-yourself, colour-me-in bag, with $5 from each sale donated to the helpline.

In the eight months since, more than 2500 bags have been sold, raising a total of $12,760.

Barnardos Chief Executive, Jeff Sanders said these new funds would contribute to Barnardos counsellors responding to 45,000 calls from kids in need.

“We receive calls, both on the phone and through web chat, each year from children around New Zealand who need some kind of help. Our trained counsellors help these kids find solutions to their problems, equipping them with the tools they need to deal with all kinds of situations,” Sanders said.

“These extra funds are incredibly important to 0800 What’s Up. They will allow us to respond to children who need our help. We are so appreciative of the support from OfficeMax and its investment in caring for Kiwi kids.”

OfficeMax Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director Kevin Obern said everyone in the company is pleased and proud to be able to help such a worthy cause and support Kiwi kids.

“We love working with Barnardos and having the opportunity to give a helping hand to children across New Zealand,” he said.

The colour-me-in bag is still available for $9.99 in all OfficeMax stores nationwide and online, until stocks last. Every purchase will see $5 donated to Barnardos children’s helpline 0800 What’s Up.

For more information on OfficeMax products visit officemax.co.nz, myschool.co.nz or free phone 0800 426 473.

Barnardos is running #KeepThemTalking campaign to enable 0800 What’s Up helplines open for an extra hour each day for the rest of 2017.

For more information on Barnardos visit barnardos.org.nz, and search the hash tag #KeepThemTalking. To talk to a counsellor, call 0800 WHATSUP (0800 942 8787) free seven days a week (weekdays 1pm–10pm and weekends 3pm–10pm). You can also chat online seven days a week between 5pm and 10pm.

ENDS

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