MEDIA RELEASE

20 August 2013

Laser Group and Habitat for Humanity join forces in Charity Taskforce Event to address overcrowding issues in NZ.

Laser Group has been working closely with Habitat for Humanity on a project that will not only help address New Zealand’s overcrowding issues but will also see the Habitat for Humanity Restore at 8 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki revamped.

Overcrowding is an identified issue in New Zealand that leads to poor health, lower success rates at school, reduced future livelihood options and ultimately poor quality of life for future generations.  A survey of South Auckland Mangere households completed in October 2011 by the Salvation Army Social Policy Unit found that 23 per cent of residents, and 29 per cent of children lived in overcrowded conditions.

Laser members from Australia and New Zealand will be joining forces on Wednesday, 21st August to build 3 sleep outs that will be relocated to families in need -  to go some way to address these issues.

Habitat has frequent calls to add additional sleeping accommodation to existing homes to provide bedroom space for 1 or 2 children in the late pre-teen age group (10-12 year olds) onwards.  When school homework becomes increasingly more important and a quiet place to study is essential for learning.

Scott Carr, Laser General Manager of New Zealand has spent time on the phone calling Laser’s key suppliers to organise over $30,000 worth of product donations from air conditioning units, lighting, cabling and ducting through to toilets, basins and tapware.

Each year Laser hosts a Charity Taskforce event as part of their International Conference.  This year 450 delegates from around New Zealand and Australia will be arriving in Auckland for this event. 

Scott Carr said “Our members are invited to arrive a day early to conference, donate a day of their time to contribute to a very worthwhile cause.  This year we have over 100 willing delegates ready to join forces and work alongside each other on this project.  When we told our members what we were doing they were more than keen to help out.

“This event is unique; some members have never met before, Kiwi’s and Aussies working together using their skill sets to contribute to a very worthwhile cause. The camaraderie is fantastic”.

David Lawson, Marketing Manager from Habitat for Humanity NZ said “We are fortunate to be working with Laser, it is a great partnership.  They have gone above and beyond and our volunteers and staff are so looking forward to revamped premises with all the amenities working properly”.

“Habitat for Humanity is a not for profit organisation with limited funding.  It is a real treat to have someone do this for us and look after our staff and volunteer workforce”

Mr. Carr said “We are encouraging our members to use the Habitat for Humanity Restores located around New Zealand to recycle items that traditionally would have been thrown away.  The Restores’ throughout New Zealand recycle demolition and unwanted items from light switches, toilet pans to shoes and beds with the aim to reuse and recycle - reducing our landfills”

“Working with Habitat for Humanity has been insightful; it allows Laser to give back to the community, back to New Zealand and especially to children in need, working to help the future generation of New Zealand”.

EVENT DETAILS

Wednesday, 21 August, 8am till 4pm

8 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki

Note: Photos and video footage of the day will be made available.  

Thanks to Laser Suppliers:

Philips, Rheem, Buteline, Vynco, Zenith, Aqualine, Dux, Methven, Mico, Schneider, Simx, JA Russell, General Cable, Fujitsu, CDB Goldair, Hillcrest Promotions, Austin Catering, Pavlovich Coaches.

ENDS

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