Orphan charity surprises as nationwide Facebook winner

Media Release - Orphan charity surprises public as nationwide Facebook winner
With 24,997 registered charities in New Zealand, one small charity which started in Invercargill in 2004 has surprised large players in the field, as well as New Zealand public by winning first place in a nationwide social media competition, "25 Ways to Say Thanks”.

The campaign, launched by Toyota NZ to “give back” after achieving 25 years of market leadership, was a way to say thanks to the charitable sector for their contributions to society. Toyota invited charities to take part, and 515 took up their offer. The prizes were the use of 25 brand new Corollas for three years – each going to the top 25 charities.

Around 40,000 Kiwis used Facebook to vote for their favourite New Zealand Charity. Orphans Aid International’s simple yet profound cause resounded with voters, gaining it an astonishing 1,174 votes. Other winners included The Girl Guide Association in fourth place, CanTeen in seventeenth place, and Cystic Fibrosis Association in twenty-fourth place.

But no one expected unheard of charity, Orphans Aid International, to come in first place with a substantial lead. Usually larger name charities have the presence and supporter base to maximise on opportunities like this, but not in this underdog story.

Orphans Aid International is proud to be home-grown, and non-government funded, relying heavily on everyday Kiwis for it’s support. It works extremely hard from it’s Otago Head Office to ensure that orphaned and abandoned babies and children are cared for – from it’s project in Romania, through to Russia, India, and working to reduce poverty back home in New Zealand.

Orphans Aid International’s founder and chief executive Sue van Schreven, who is “driving” her charity to become a household name warmly smiles and quietly tells, “It was a real nail biter. I really didn’t know we would win. If it wasn’t for our loyal supporters, and our Orphans Aid Opshops around the country – we wouldn’t have done it!”

The car will be put to good use promoting Orphans Aid International, delivering goods to people in need, and helping to run the fundraising shops in Queenstown, Invercargill, Dunedin, Hastings, and Tauranga. With around 150 million orphans worldwide – the growing charity needs all the help it can get.

Mrs van Schreven encourages the surprised New Zealand public to go to her website, www.orphansaidinternational.org, to sign up for regular emails to keep up to date with the work that is being done in New Zealand and overseas to rescue the abandoned. "The more funds we can raise, the more children we can rescue.” she says.

ENDS

*Orphans Aid International is a Charitable Trust based from Queenstown, New Zealand, with aid projects in Romania, Russia, India and locally in New Zealand. It was founded in 2004 by then Invercargill resident, Sue van Schreven.
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