Recently our chapter (BNI Parnell) got involved in a charity drive for a valuable organisation called Foster Hope that I wanted to let other members know about. Foster Hope is a registered charity in New Zealand which provides the basics for children going into foster care. Their campaign is also known as Kits2Kids. There are over 8000 children in foster care in NZ and many of them arrive at their new placements with nothing but the clothes on their backs or with their belongings in a black rubbish sack.
Foster Hope wants to change this by making up kits to be given to children when they are removed from their homes, with a backpack and a carry all bag containing hygiene products (toothpaste, shampoo) and some items that will show them they are loved (books, soft toys). Recently they had a nationwide pyjama drive where they collected brand new pyjamas for children in Foster Care. Our chapter contributed to this drive by collecting 46 brand new pairs of PJs to donate to the organisation – we challenge other BNI members throughout the country to match (or better) our effort.
Our connection to Foster Hope is a very personal one. One of our members – Jackie O’Fee – has a foster child herself and is a big supporter of the organisation. Jackie says that her boy told her that getting something new as a foster child was amazing. Just to have a soft toy or belongings that were his own meant so much. Jackie supports Foster Hope by providing a drop off point for donations at her store Signature Style at 35 Broadway, Newmarket.
Jackie is friends with Louise Allnutt, the Chairperson for Foster Hope Charitable Trust and has advocated for the group at BNI. Over the last two years we have participated in collecting for Foster Hope and we plan to keep supporting the charity into the future. Louise says there is a huge need amongst foster children in New Zealand – both for care packages and foster parents. There are 8000 children in care across the country and last year Foster Hope distributed 2600 care packs nationwide.
Every little bit helps and I challenge BNI members from other chapters to do what you can for Foster Hope. Their website is http://www.fosterhope.co.nz/, this is a list of the items they desperately need donations of http://www.fosterhope.co.nz/kit-contents/ and here are the drop off points where you can leave your donations http://www.fosterhope.co.nz/drop-off-points/. Let’s help Foster Hope make up a record number of backpacks for kids in need this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0OKlmoSzk
Sandra Barclay-Graham, The Private Travel Company and member of BNI Parnell in Auckland
