Homes Of Hope Scoops Top Award

Homes of Hope Charitable Trust has won the Supreme Award at the TrustPower Tauranga Community Awards.

The Awards were announced and presented last night at a function at the Club Mount Maunganui.

For winning the Supreme Award, Homes of Hope Charitable Trust received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 prize money. Homes of Hope Charitable Trust now has the opportunity to represent the district at the 2011 TrustPower National Community Awards, which are being held in Ashburton District in March 2012.

In total, TrustPower presented over $5,000 to various community groups through tonight's Awards.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Suzi Luff says Homes of Hope Charitable Trust is providing care and protection for abused and neglected children going through the most difficult time in their lives.

"With three homes in the Tauranga area, children are cared for by a committed team of loving house parents and support caregivers and a solid community of unseen helping hands.

Over 100 volunteers are part of Homes of Hope. From maintenance around the homes to gardening, cleaning and sewing, volunteers are ensuring that the homes are in the best shape possible.

Volunteers help with homework sessions, creative arts and cultural projects and they fundraise. Volunteer mentors also have a valuable role to play in the support of the overall restoration, well-being and development of each child's life - a truly awesome contribution to the community.

To date, Homes of Hope has cared for 78 children. These children receive a real sense of family and community with role models who help them break the cycle of negative living. Homes of Hope is a truly amazing cause, and it's vital if we are to hope for a better future for our communities," Miss Luff.

The competition for this year's TrustPower Tauranga Community Awards was strong with 84 groups nominated for the Awards, one of the best results yet.

Other winners at the TrustPower Tauranga Community Awards were:

Heritage and Environment Winner: Tauranga SPCA Runner-Up: Bay of Plenty Tree Society

Health and Well Being Winner: Project Fullstop Runner-Up: Let's Get Growing, Otumoetai Community Garden Commendation: Tauranga Citizens Advice Bureau

Arts and Culture Winner: Detour Theatre Trust Runner-Up: 16th Avenue Theatre Commendation: Inzpire Dance Company

Sport and Leisure Winner: Tauranga Special Olympics Runner-Up: Papamoa Football Club Commendation: Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council Inc.

Education and Child/Youth Development Winner: Asperger's Connections Runner-Up: Tauranga Astronomical Society

Special Regional Commendation Rise Up Tauranga

Supreme Winner Homes of Hope Charitable Trust

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