Five finalists for New Zealand’s top volunteer

NEWS RELEASE

May 26, 2009

Five finalists for New Zealand’s top volunteer

The quest for New Zealand’s top volunteer has been narrowed to five community heroes, esteemed as superstars by the charities they serve.

One of these five category winners in the inaugural ‘National Volunteer Awards’ will be named as the overall Volunteer of the Year at an event in Auckland on June 11.

The new awards programme invited charities to nominate their top volunteers and the five category winners were selected, by public vote, from a pool of twenty. More than 3000 people voted through the website www.gomad.co.nz.

The five finalists are:

Category

Volunteer

Charity

Region

Emergency services and international aid

Kate Findley

Child Fund

Taupo

Family and social services

Bridgit Bretherton- Jones

Preventing Violence in the Home

Auckland

(West Auckland)

Environment, conservation and animal welfare

Stacey Freeman

WSPA

Auckland

(Kingsland)

Health and disability services

Michael Turner

Spinal Trust

Christchurch

Sport and Arts

Sandi Morrison

ART

Auckland

(North Shore)

Statistics New Zealand figures reveal nearly one million New Zealanders volunteer for a charity or worthy cause every year, donating 270 million unpaid hours.

Volunteering is worth $3.31 billion to New Zealand’s economy and the combined efforts of charities and volunteers contribute 4.9 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product.

Good magazine’s social marketing manager Gavin Healy, who developed the volunteer recognition programme, says this collaboration helps New Zealand to a healthier, safer and more successful country.

The awards are being held in the lead-up to Volunteer Awareness Week (June 14-20), which aims to highlight volunteering and the wide range of volunteering voles available within the community.

Gavin Healy says the awards are being held at a time when thanking the country’s volunteers is more important than ever as volunteers are critical to society during recession.

“We urgently need to promote the importance of the volunteer and non-profit sector during the downturn, as funding is in decline while demand for social services is increasing.”

New Zealand’s volunteer of the year will be selected on June 11 by a panel that will include the Hon. Tariana Turia, Minister Voluntary and Community Sector.

The winner will receive a volunteering holiday from adventure travel company Intrepid Travel, valued at $5000. Good magazine will donate 20 per cent of its subscription revenue from the June/July period to the charity of the winning volunteer.

Good magazine publisher Martin Bell says the awards will be held annually.

“Volunteers typically shun praise for their efforts, but we want to celebrate our volunteers because they tirelessly support causes in their community and receive no material reward for their effort,” says Mr Bell.

-Ends-

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