30 December 2004

Call for volunteers as Oxfam phones run hot

Such is the response from New Zealanders wanting to donate to the Asian tsunami recovery effort that an urgent call is going out for volunteers in the Wellington area to answer the phones for aid organisation Oxfam New Zealand.

Pauline Harper, Co-Manager of Volunteer Wellington (which provides recruitment services for not-for-profit organisations), says Oxfam's call centre in the Hutt Valley has been "overwhelmed" by the generosity of New Zealanders in the past 48 hours.

"As the true extent of the catastrophe in Asia becomes more and more apparent, the response from New Zealanders is growing - and it appears that the collective desire to contribute to the relief effort is not going to reduce markedly any time soon."

Ms Harper says people willing to add their names to a roster to answer phones for Oxfam in the next week or so should get in touch with her.

"We're looking for volunteers with a pleasant phone manner who catch on quickly. The work will be intense and satisfying."

Ms Harper can be contacted at tel 04 499 4572, mob 025 628 1518 or at vw@volunteerwellington.org.nz

ENDS

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