Search For Five ‘Breakfast Champion’ Volunteers

News Release
31 March 2009

New Zealand Red Cross Search For Five ‘Breakfast Champion’ Volunteers

To mark the second anniversary of the Red Cross Breakfast in Schools programme, New Zealand Red Cross and Countdown supermarkets will take the opportunity to acknowledge the volunteers who play a vital role in delivering the programme in almost 50 schools across the country.

New Zealand Red Cross and programme partner Countdown supermarkets are searching for five ‘Breakfast Champions’ from across the country who are making a difference in their community as Red Cross Breakfast in Schools volunteers.

New Zealand Red Cross Community Services Manager Sara Williams says volunteers are vital to the success of the Breakfast in Schools programme and she believes the second anniversary is a great chance to acknowledge and highlight the dedicated volunteers who make Red Cross Breakfast in Schools possible.

“Our volunteers, and we have over 250 helping deliver the programme, are at the grass roots of the programme, serving a healthy breakfast to hungry children every morning before school. They are always the first to arrive and set everything up and the last to leave, having cleaned up afterwards as the kids head off to start their learning day,” says Ms Williams.

The Breakfast Champion awards will recognise the commitment, hard work and contribution volunteers have made and continue to make to the programme. The five Breakfast Champions will be presented with grocery hampers provided by Countdown supermarkets.

Communities and participating schools will be able to nominate their Breakfast Champion using a nomination form available at www.redcross.org.nz or from local New Zealand Red Cross offices. Copies will be sent to all participating schools.

Breakfast Champions will be judged on their attitude, relationship with fellow volunteers and recipients and contribution to the programme. New Zealand Red Cross and Countdown staff will select the five Breakfast Champions.

Nominations for the Breakfast Champion awards close on 20 April and the five Champions will be announced on Monday 4 May. Presentations are expected to be during the following week.

Two years on from the programme’s launch, the Red Cross Breakfast in Schools programme is currently operating in 46 decile 1 primary schools throughout the country, from Northland to Dunedin. On average, 1400 healthy breakfasts consisting of cereal, milk, toast, spreads and a hot drink are served to hungry children every morning before school. During the first two year’s of the programme, over 200,000 meals have been served.

If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross Breakfast in Schools volunteer please call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276).

ENDS

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