Walking for Christchurch

BY SIMONE FROM GREATFUN4KIDS

We here in New Zealand are walking around with our minds and hearts elsewhere. No matter what we are doing, Christchurch is not far fom our thoughts.

Whenever we go to complain about the chores, the kids... we clap a hand over our mouths and say to ourselves, but I have nothing to complain about, compared to what's happening in Christchurch.

The rescuers keep working through the night, still hoping to find survivors in the rubble. We pray for them from a distance, but our hearts are right there with them.

We keep hoping against hope even though it's been hours since they last found anyone alive.

And in the back of our minds is the task facing the city when the dust has settled.

The people who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their sense of safety. Not to mention their precious loved ones.

We sit here at a distance feeling frustrated and wishing there was something we could do, as well as praying.

Then my friend Gail came up with this idea, a Walk for Christchurch, just like our Walk for Haiti last year.
A 16km sponsored walk across the Auckland isthmus. I did it last year. Ouch.

And I have said I will do it this year too. How could I not? I'm terrified of course. I am so unfit. And last year I could barely walk for days afterwards. But I'm doing it.

I will get up off my butt and walk. And hope that you will join me - either by walking with us on the 2nd of April and/or by donating.

Would you also support us by putting this button on your blog?

It links directly to the fundraising page where people can donate via credit or debit card. All money raised goes directly to the red Cross to help the people of Christhurch. We would love your support.

Cos it's not for us. It's for them.

 <center><a href="http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/GailBurgess4CHCH/"><img border="0" src="http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy162/donnasimone/buttons/WalkforChristchurchbutton140.jpg"/></a></center>

Thankyou. ♥

Photos from MSN Galleries

Become Someone's Angel

BY SIMONE AT GREATFUN4KIDS

We have just returned from a photo-scavenger hunt around town to benefit Auckland City Mission.

Seeing as Christmas is the season of giving and there's nothing I hate more than spoilt selfish brats, I figured it would benefit us all to give some things to those less fortunate than us.

So I went online to Auckland City Mission to find out about donating stuff and came across this cool thing:

Become Someone's Angel

Take photos of yourself (and others) and upload onto the City Mission Facebook Page. Their Sponsor will donate $5 to them for each photo uploaded!

Fun in the City for free that benefits someone else... what more could you want?

So I printed out a list of where the Angel Wings are dotted around the place, packed up a bag of munchies, some silly hats and off we went.

First we called into the Mission to drop of some bags and boxes of things we no longer need, but that have plenty of life left in them. The kids helped sort the stuff out, take it in and hand it over. I wanted them to be part of the giving.

Then we tried to find some wings to pose in front of.

One grinchy store (Global Dive) had taken the wings down. Boo. It spoilt their Window Display.

There were six of us in the van, so a photo each in front of the Wings at Wellington St Dairy ($30 for the Mission) and another at TVNZ (right by the front entrance) - another $30 for them.

Scrag was starting to "lose it" then so we gave up after just two photo locations. But it was fun. And all for a good cause. And it helped focus the kids on Giving and those who don't have the luxuries we take for granted.

So If you're at a loose end in Auckland go looking for some Angel Wings and snap some pics, then upload them to the Mission's Facebook Page.

Merry Christmas!
xx

The Max Foundation for New Zealand Woman

STORY BY LEANNE FROM COTTAGE TAILS

For the last two years my daughter & I have attended the charity movie event held by Max raising funds for their Max Foundation for New Zealand Woman

 

Last years movie was My Sister's Keeper, this year it was Eat, Love, Pray.

 

The evening begins with drinks & nibbles, then a fashion show with Max staff modeling the clothes - well done Max to have "normal size" woman as your models & the girls did an amazing cat walk!

 

A goodie bag is given to everyone & very generous bag at that!

• A Max glimpses into summer booklet - which was brilliant as it was just what we had seen on the catwalk
• Loreal Glam shine
• Loreal shampoo & conditioner samples
• Loreal day cream sample
• Libra thin liners
• $20.00 off Max voucher
• $5.00 off voucher for Matua Valley wine
• Whittaker's Chocolate
• Bagel Crisps
• New Zealand Good health Magazine - October issue
• Mac's Lemon Crush
• Plus Max had spot prizes.

A most enjoyable evening. And the CEO of Max thought they have raised approx $30,000 for The Max foundation this year with their movie events that were held in Auckland, Hamilton, Lower Hutt & Christchurch.

 

I recommend you join the Max mailing list so you too will get notification of their new styles arriving in store along with a heads up to next years Max Foundation Charity Event.