PLACEMAKERS TEAM GETS STUCK IN

With smiles from ear to ear, almost 100 youngsters greeted more than 40 PlaceMakers team members as they arrived at Rotorua’s Sunset Primary School, ready to roll up their sleeves and tackle long-overdue jobs around the grounds

A special pōwhiri and welcome set the scene for the PlaceMakers Foundation Working Bee – a busy day spent installing vegetable gardens, fixing downpipes and repairing and upgrading bench seats – following the annual PlaceMakers conference held in Rotorua over the previous days.

Enjoying a BBQ lunch with the kids and donating new rugby balls, basketballs and hockey sticks were also highlights, according to PlaceMakers Rotorua Account Manager Chris Newson, who said the delighted look on the kids’ faces made the effort all worthwhile.

“It was such an awesome project to be part of,” said Chris. “After visiting the school a few times, and chatting with the staff, we knew exactly how we could help out and that our project would make a huge difference.”

Sunset Primary School principal Eden Chapman said that without the support, skills and generosity of PlaceMakers, the tasks would have taken up to 12 months to complete.

The PlaceMakers Foundation combines charitable giving, the skills of PlaceMakers’ own staff and customers, and all available resources to help make a lasting difference in communities around the country. To find out more, visit foundation.placemakers.co.nz