27 March 2017

Winning volunteers at Presbyterian Support Otago

Presbyterian Support Otago was thrilled to participate in the 2016 Trustpower National Community Awards, held at Rotorua Lakes over the weekend.

Presbyterian Support Otago joined 24 other voluntary organisations from around New Zealand for the awards who were regional supreme winners of the 2016 awards. Presbyterian Support Otago represented the Dunedin region.

The award recognises the selfless effort of over 600 volunteers who work right across Presbyterian Support activities - in areas such as the Buddy Programme, our charity shops, YouthGrow programme, the Family Works food bank, and our Enliven care homes.

Chief Executive Gillian Bremner and Fundraising & Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Gerwitz represented Presbyterian Support Otago at the awards, along with Dunedin Deputy Mayor Chris Staynes and his wife Cheryl.

Presbyterian Support has been part of the Otago community for 110 years and could not deliver the range of services they provide without the incredible support of volunteers.

Mrs Bremner said: “We have 340 volunteers working in Dunedin alone. They generously give 28,000 hours a year of their time to serve others; their support is valued at more than $400,000 annually.”

“The impact that Presbyterian Support Otago’s volunteers have with the people they work with every day is evident through the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive. We know that Presbyterian Support Otago volunteers help to make Dunedin a great place to live.”

Some of the feedback about the programmes our volunteers make possible:

  • “I count the sleeps ‘til my next Club Enliven visit. I couldn’t get there without help from Peter (volunteer driver).”
  • “My Buddy is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She makes me feel special.”
  • “Jan (volunteer) is the only person I see each week who is not paid to be with me.”

Hear more about the amazing contribution made by our volunteers (Thanks to Firebrand who worked with us to compile this video):