Last night, our Rotary Club of Papakura had the pleasure of hosting two fantastic local service clubs for an evening of fellowship and cooperation. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about each other's impactful work and strengthen the ties that bind us in serving our community.
Kiwanis Drury: Making a Difference with Heart
We were delighted to welcome a lovely group of ladies from Kiwanis Drury, who shared insights into their inspiring projects. Their efforts include providing colouring books to Victim Support, KidsFirst & Starship hospitals, Pukekohe Plunket, and even the Christchurch Cancer Ward. They also generously supply pajamas to Plunket Papakura and Pukekohe, directly benefiting families in need. On an international scale, Kiwanis Drury sends two containers annually to Vanuatu filled with books and surplus school materials. Closer to home, they run a "Terrific Kids Program" in three local schools and support the Salvation Army's Christmas Food Bank. All of this incredible work is achieved by a dedicated team of just eight volunteers – truly inspiring!
Papakura Lions: Local Impact, Global Reach
Chris Lynch joined us, extending apologies from their incoming District Governor who was attending an international convention. Chris highlighted the strong performance of provincial Lions clubs and noted the ongoing efforts to connect with urban clubs. Despite being a smaller club of about a dozen members, Papakura Lions are incredibly active. Their main projects include recycling eyeglasses through optometrists and sending them to the Pacific Islands, providing sight to many. They also present "Children of Courage" awards to young people who've demonstrated remarkable resilience, and host an international Peace Poster contest. We were particularly proud to hear that a local Papakura schoolgirl won the New Zealand competition last year, with her poster moving on to the world stage! The Lions club also collaborates with local scouts, helping them attend Jamborees, and participates in Calf Days with local schools. Finally, in a true spirit of collaboration, the Papakura Lions generously provide Santa's sleigh for our very own Papakura Rotary Christmas Parade/Festival.
Rotary Papakura: Our Community, Our Projects
Our Rotary members then shared the valuable learnings from the recent Community Hui and outlined some of the diverse projects we undertake in the community. These include our "feet on the ground" involvement with Kura Connect, the local Community Patrol, Drowning Prevention initiatives, our beloved Christmas Festival, various Literacy Projects, and scholarships. Malcolm also gave us an exciting update on our major fundraiser, the upcoming Motorcycle Show.
Drury Rotary: A Swing for a Cause!
We were also pleased to have Iain Wakefield representing the Rotary Club of Drury, who spoke about their significant fundraiser, the Golf Tournament. (And a very Happy Birthday to Iain!)
The evening truly exemplified the power of collaboration and shared purpose. It was a fantastic reminder that by working together, local service clubs can achieve even greater things for the Papakura community. We look forward to strengthening these connections and continuing our collective efforts to make a positive difference.