Don’t turn a blind eye to Blind Week

18,000 enthusiastic volunteers are needed for the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind’s (RNZFB) Blind Week appeal from 29 October to 4 November.

The RNZFB needs national support to knock on doors, collect at local shopping centres and supermarkets or to help with administrative tasks in an appeal that is hoping to raise over $ 1 million.

“The success of our campaign relies heavily on volunteers,” says Jeanette Manson, RNZFB Divisional Manager Fundraising. “It’s the goodwill and support of these people that creates the energy behind the appeal.”

The Foundation’s Blind Week appeal raises money to provide essential services for more than 12,500 blind and sight-impaired New Zealanders – services that help Foundation members to challenge their sight loss while maintaining their independence.

“We have received an excellent response in previous appeals and we’re hoping this year is no exception,” says Ms Manson.

Ms Manson says it is getting increasingly tougher each year for non-profit organisations as more and more compete for the charity dollar.

The minimum number of volunteers needed in each area is:

Auckland/Northland 4,000
Waikato 2,000
Bay of Plenty 2,000
Hawkes Bay 1,000
Wellington/Taranaki 3,000
Nelson 1,000
Canterbury/West Coast 2,500
Otago/Southland 2,500

If you are interested in being part of this huge effort and you’ve got a couple of hours of time to volunteer, please phone 0800 002 345 and you will be connected with your nearest RNZFB regional fundraising manager, or register on our website www.rnzfb.org.nz.

“And don’t forget to give generously when you see the collectors in town or at your door,” says Ms Manson, “every little bit counts!”

- ends -

© Scoop Media