Last Chance to Thank Voluntary Groups

Locals have just a few more days to ensure their favourite community groups are part of Tauranga and the Western Bay’s biggest celebration of volunteers, because entries for the Trustpower Community Awards close at5pm on Friday 3 July.

The awards, run by Trustpower in partnership with the Tauranga and Western Bay Council’s, acknowledge volunteer groups and organisations for the contributions they make to their community. Now in its nineteenth year, the awards have helped invest more than $110,000 back into the region’s grass roots communities. Last year, 45 groups were entered for the Western Bay awards and another 51 for Tauranga.

Trustpower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville believes over and above those, there are still many groups providing services, activities, support and events in the community, but are often not recognised for doing so.

“The value of volunteering is huge; we know New Zealand is a giving nation. In 2013, the World Giving Index classed us in the top ten nations for volunteering and giving. These awards are all about finding those groups, new and old, that people volunteer for and giving them some special attention,” Somerville said.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for the Trustpower Community Awards – groups and organisations can even enter themselves. Category winners receive $500 and runner ups take home $250. The Supreme Winner receives $1,500 and the opportunity to attend the National Community Awards at no cost. Last year’s Tauranga Supreme Winner was Good Neighbour Aotearoa Trust and in the Western Bay it was commonUnity Productions.

Entry forms are available from Council offices and service centres, or they can be completed online on our Facebook page, Trustpower Community.

ENDS

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