Jammies in June 2024
News | Kawepūrongo
Jammies in June 2023 was such a success, Nathalie's doing it again this year.
And we're starting early so winter warmers can be distributed before the real cold sets in.
Last year, with the support of the community, HDC staff and local schools, Nathalie collected over 300 winter woolies including brand new pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers and even some special handmade pyjamas. This year, the need has been identified as being for tamariki aged 0-8 years, with a real need for 'sleep-sacks'.
Sleep-sacks are an expensive item so Nathalie is applying for funding and grants. Waihī Lions Club have already donated $500 towards sleep-sacks for the children of Waihī. Money received from grants will be used specifically to purchase sleep-sacks. Money donations from the public will be spent on new pyjamas.
Nathalie Visser in our Accounts team came up with this heart-warming initiative to help keep local tamariki healthy over the colder months, after being inspired by Dame Valerie Adams’ Jammie Army campaign for the Middlemore Foundation.
Initially she thought of it as an inhouse opportunity for staff to donate new pyjamas, but her idea’s snowballed and our CE Langley Cavers kindly agreed for our service centres and libraries to be drop off locations for the public too.
“I was actually always hoping for it to be a public/community fund-raiser and hoped it would get the support of HDC. I saw the fundraising drive taking place in other areas of the country, and as I’m a bit partial to my pajamas, I loved the idea of Hauraki kids having warm and snuggly pajamas on a cold night too”, said Nathalie.
It's a comfort we can take for granted, but thanks to Nathalie's efforts, we've now got collection bins for new pyjamas in our Council service centres in Ngatea, Paeroa and Waihi, along with our libraries.
Dr Richard Matsas, Clinical Director of Kidz First Hospital and Community Health, explains that pyjamas are helpful in keeping children safe from winter illness by keeping children warm through the night.
“Being snug and warm can help boost kids’ immunity, making them less susceptible to falling ill.”
Plunket and the Hauraki Māori Trust Board are on board again to distribute the new, donated pajamas to local tamariki aged 0-8 years old.
Nathalie’s got a big goal in mind, so we're hoping to smash it out of the park! Remember, it’s new items only. Good quality second-hand winter warmers are great for donating to the local charity op-shops.
From Friday 26 April, you can drop off new winter warmers like pyjamas, slippers or dressing gowns at our council service centres and libraries.
Alternatively, you can make a monetary donation and we’ll buy in bulk, to get the best bang for your buck.
Hauraki District Council
BNZ
02-0396-0064018-000
With a reference of “Jammies”
Thanks to caring staff like Nathalie and with the backing of our CE and our wellness team - Ki Waiora, we can all make a child’s night this winter. Who will you buy for?