9 July 2008
Winter chill a cause for concern

With the arrival of near freezing temperatures, the Auckland City Mission has real concerns for marginalised Aucklanders struggling to cope with the cold, winter weather.

“We are particularly concerned about children who don’t have warm clothing, appropriate footwear or an adequate diet to keep them warm and healthy through the winter months,” says Diane Robertson, Auckland City Missioner. “We are also very concerned about our homeless clients who sleep outside in these cold temperatures. They are especially vulnerable in this weather.

“The Auckland City Mission is committed to ensuring every Aucklander has adequate clothing, food and the means to stay warm through the winter months. We are relying on Aucklanders to help us do so by supporting the Mission’s Winter Appeal.”

The Winter Appeal is a key way the Auckland City Mission raises funds for the services it provides over winter. With such a harsh winter arising without warning, the Mission desperately needs the help of the community to ensure it can provide for all the families and individuals it works with. All the money raised from the Winter Appeal helps the Mission continue to provide food, clothing and services to marginalised families and individuals in our community. The Winter Appeal runs until August 11th.

People can donate to the Auckland City Mission Winter Appeal by credit card at www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz, or by downloading a form from the website and posting it to the Mission. Donations can be made by phone at 0900 42825 or 379 2395, or by simply posting a donation directly to: Auckland City Mission, PO Box 5352, Wellesley Street, Auckland. Food, clothing or bedding can be collected by phoning 377 4322, or dropped off at the Mission, 140 Hobson St, Auckland City.

For further information on the Winter Appeal or the Auckland City Mission, please contact Sparrow McGowan on 3039248 (0210 274 0609).

23 June 2008
Bidding for Auckland

Aucklanders and some of the city’s top celebrities are auctioning themselves, and a variety of services and products, to help raise money for the Auckland City Mission’s Winter Appeal.

Starting Tuesday, 1 July at www.trademe.co.nz/acm, the ‘Trade Me on Trade Me’ Auction has 87 auctions available to the highest bidder. In its third year, the auction is a key way the Mission raises funds for the services it provides over winter.

“Winter can be a hard time for many Aucklanders. The increased costs of warm clothes, doctor’s bills and energy to heat homes are too much for people already struggling to make ends meet,” says Diane Robertson, City Missioner.

Every year, the Auckland City Mission gives out 5,000 food parcels. Thanks to this food, 16,000 Auckland children are able to go to school nourished, ready to learn and knowing there will be dinner on the table when they come home. Already this year, the Mission has seen a 21% increase in demand for its services and winter has just started. The Mission relies on the support of Aucklanders to make sure we can meet this need and make sure no Auckland child goes hungry.

The ‘Trade Me on Trade Me’ Auction is a great way for Aucklanders to help their fellow Aucklanders in a unique way, and it has something for everyone: a piece of jewellery designed by Karen Walker and named after the winner; a garden plan by landscape designer Hamish Dodd; an Auckland Harbour Bridge climb with Brooke Howard-Smith; a luxury Mercedes-Benz sport convertible weekend; and much more.

The Auckland City Mission’s ‘Trade Me on Trade Me’ Auction will run for two weeks on www.trademe.co.nz/acm from 1 July to 14 July. All the money raised from the auction will help the Mission continue to provide food, clothing and services to marginalised families and individuals in our community.

People can also donate to the Auckland City Mission Winter Appeal by credit card at www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz, or by downloading a form from the website and posting it to the Mission. Donations can be made by phone at 0900 42825 or 379 2395, or by simply posting a donation directly to: Auckland City Mission, PO Box 5352, Wellesley Street, Auckland. Food, clothing or bedding can be collected by phoning 377 4322, or dropped off at the Mission, 140 Hobson St, Auckland City.

For further information, please contact: Sparrow McGowan on 09 303 9248 (0210 274 0609). Background information on the Auckland City Mission, information about the auctions and photos can be provided upon request.