Nominate a charity for 2010
As I blogged previously, in 2010, Kiwiblog is going to sponsor a charity, and I hope that the community that reads and comments here, will also get in behind a good cause. I see it as part of translating an online community into having a real world effect – like with the campaign against the Electoral Finance Act, but this time in a non political sphere.
Kiwiblog will be donating 10% of its advertising income to the charity, and we had a great brain storming session this week about possible fun events we could put on such as celebrity debates, political trivia quiz nights, sporting event sponsorship, celebrity dares, bingo nights etc etc. We’ll chat about these some other time.
For now, I’d like readers to nominate charities for consideration. I’ll then select a short-list, and we’ll put the short-list to a public vote amongst the readers.
The criteria we’ll apply in selecting a short-list are:
- Charity must be based in NZ (but can have international focus)
- Should have broad appeal, and be relatively apolitical
- Should have national relevance, not local only, and be topical
- Should actually deliver services of some kind, not just advocacy
- Should be reportable – as in the ability to keep people interested in the work they do with regular updates
So nominate away. I’ll keep nominations open for a couple of weeks and then we’ll run a poll to pick the 2009 charity.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Hospice
November 5th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Child Cancer
November 5th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Red Cross. Cannot go wrong with their principles – totally apolitical, totally non-ideological, just want to help as many people as possible. Perfect.
EDIT: (I take it the NZ Red Cross can qualify?)
November 5th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Mary Potter Hospice
November 5th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Women’s Refuge
November 5th, 2009 at 10:14 am
How about the SPCA?
Everybody loves kittens and puppies…
November 5th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Barnardos or Womens Refuge would be my picks.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Foundation for Youth Development – Auckland based but do work across the country. Graeme Dingle and Joanne Wilkinson set it up. They set up Project K, Stars, Kiwi Can and other programme aimed specifically at school aged children to help them maximise their potential. More info here http://www.fyd.co.nz/.
They’ve had a lot of proven success, and currently have around 16,000 children go through their programmes.
I realise they are a much smaller charity than some have suggested however I do believe that this organisation makes a difference in the lives of many young people – and, for our country’s future, we need to ensure that our young people do become productive, positive and fulfilled .
November 5th, 2009 at 10:20 am
I second Mary Potter Hospice. They do awesome work. Either the Hospice or Wellington Free Ambulance, those guys are awesome too.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Fred Hollows Foundation
November 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am
SPCA
November 5th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I take it Destiny Church is a no go…
If so … then the Fred Hollows Foundation. They give someone back their sight for every couple of hundred raised!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ – They do a great job of providing homes away from home and support for sick kids and their families.
New Zealand Blind Foundation – use the money to sponsor a puppy.
CANTEEN – supports young people living with Cancer
New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation
All great charities that I support on a personal level, and I know provide services to their members and members of the community
November 5th, 2009 at 10:36 am
ADRA http://www.adra.org.nz
Best aid provider by far. Admin costs way below 5% of donation and grants. Effective sustainable development projects in NZ and in Pacific.
Has Redundancy Support Programmes, Health programmes that address diabetes, stopping smoking that are proven for more than 50 years.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:37 am
+1 For NZ Red Cross.
They do fantastic work in lower decile schools and also with the elderly.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I don’t know what it’s called or whether it’s even a registered charity but the one cause I unhesitatingly donate to every year – but never take a poppy – is the one collected by the RSA for veterans and their partners each year before ANZAC day.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:40 am
The Philip Ure Memorial Foundation for the Unemployable and Terminally Indolent.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Barnados and/or the Alzheimers society.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:44 am
The Labour Party. Helping lazy unionists and teachers since 1916.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I second child cancer.
Or possibly Make A Wish.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Te Reo Marama – Funding could dry up and is very used to charity.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:05 am
SPCA- so they can lock up scum that think its funny to put nails through a cat’s head, and light dogs on fire.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:06 am
KidsCan!! They are apolitical and out for meet the basic needs for Kiwi children that may not be able to ascertain such vitals due to coming from very disadvantaged backgrounds! http://www.kidscan.org.nz/
November 5th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Guide Dog Foundation
November 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Really interesting to observe -ve karam being dolled out here.
If you don’t like someone elses chosen charity then find one you do like and suggest it. Hitting -ve karma in this kind of post is pretty low-life IMO
November 5th, 2009 at 11:16 am
SPCA.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:16 am
I’m not a fan of Make-a-wish – it always struck me as a “feel good” as opposed to a “doing good” type of charity. Send a kid to Disneyland when they are dying of cancer versus spending the same money to actually keep some kids alive type of thing. Personally I cant be assed with animal-based charities either as I tend to think people are more important.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:18 am
No one proposed the Bain fund.
The karma buttons don’t have to be personal, they are often used as an indication of agreeing or disagreeing. Aren’t they?
November 5th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Cha – Barnados supported the anti-smacking law, they fail the “apolitical” criterion
November 5th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I nominate Autism New Zealand.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Scouts New Zealand has been around for over 100yrs and is becoming more recognised as foundation training for our young people. They need help from everyone to make this even stronger so they can provide adventurous activities for our youth. Give them your support.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Fred Hollows is the sight one no? Well that gets my vote cause I cant think of much worse than being blind.
If NZ focused chartiable goodwork would vote Womens refuge, be quite a fitting charity in that it tries to give real choice to women who try and have that taken away, with ‘choice’ being one of the underlying themes of this blog and its readers.
However as this thread illustrates so many worth causes.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I nominate Alzhe, um Alz, err, I forget.
Seriously – how about the Malagan institute. They work on medical cures that benefit everyone on the planet AND manage to piss off Peta and SAFE.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Something that is discussed a lot here is the level of violence in NZ society. Kiwiblog could contribute to something anti violence. It could to do more than just help financially, as a mainly male blog it may also make a major statement about a major problem.
eg
The National Network of Stopping Violence Services
http://www.nnsvs.org.nz/
November 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Yep.
But I’d like to correct what I said above. For every $25 they can return someone’s vision!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Sponsor a guide dog or become a puppy sponsor. It costs over $22,000 to train a guide dog and they don’t get any government funding for it. There’s nothing comparable that can give as much freedom to one of the 11,700 blind and partially sighted New Zealanders.
https://www.rnzfb.org.nz/howtodonate
(I’m not affiliated with them, just a proud sponsor of guide puppies who think they do a great job)
November 5th, 2009 at 11:58 am
You should spnser norml
http://www.norml.org.nz
November 5th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Clown doctors.
http://www.clowndoctors.org.nz
Fun and they do great things particually for kids.
DPF, I am getting behind this myself, so if you want more info let me know.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
…and here in NZ the operation costs $10K and there is a waiting list.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Demented and retarded socialist commentators, no I jest, let the bastards starve.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Women’s Refuge- because it’s just as much a ‘kid’s refuge’ as well as a women’s refuge – and is the only safe place where abused kids can go with their mothers. It would be nice to do something special for the kids at these refuge’s as the focus is usually on the mums who have choices.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand (www.cfnz.org.nz)
Of all births in New Zealand, 1 in 3000 to 1 in 3,500 infants born will have Cystic Fibrosis.
CF is a prolonged and some what nasty death sentence. In just the last 15 years the average life expectancy has increased from late teens/early 20’s to mid 30’s.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
The Kids at Women’s Refuge (as above from William J). These kids deserve something positive to happen in their life. Maybe it could be in the form of an outward bound course, a trip somewhere, a special outing with celebrities, or a scholarship for doing well in school etc. I am sure any gesture of kindness and thoughtfulness will really make a difference to these kids. Their mums have made bad choices but the kids haven’t – they are purely victims. No other charity looks after them so it would be great to focus on this ‘untouched’ area.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Except for perhaps WINZ.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Scouts – help kids do fun stuff
November 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
-1 vote for SPCA. Worthy aims and some good work is no doubt done, but in our experience a vindictive bunch of mad self-righteous cat-ladies…
November 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
on serious note though.
how about something that saves them poor buggers from starving in some of those african countries,,,,,…..
November 5th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
menace – on a serious note – you mean like shooting their corrupt leaders in the head, recolonising the place, introducing the rule of law and property rights and ignoring the green lobby who want to keep Africa the dark continent by making it impossible for Africans to use their resources to fuel economic growth?
November 5th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
It would be good to back a Kiwi cause. Something a bit different might work best, I think Red Cross are worthy but I already give to them so am more likely to support if it’s something else. There are so many health related causes that are easy to justify, but I tend to think our health system should have that covered.
I like the idea of something pro-men anti-violence but I’m aware that can be difficult to get wide support for.
Women’s refuge and kids sounds good.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Scouts as they provide our youth with great guidlines of how to get the best out of life with respect and the well being of others and the inviroment.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Scouts
November 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Hospice. Great work, and we all look at it as an investment for the future.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Scouts because they are great as the teach our youth to grow into responsible honest adults
November 5th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
how about the shoot brian in the head cause, or is it to small to get you sights on?
November 5th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Ronald McDonald House or Women’s Refuge.
Both do amazing things for families in real need who are hit with terrible circumstances outside their control. Ronald McDonald House would be my pick, as they’ve housed and supported the families of kids tranported to other cities with the child cancer service fiasco at Wellington Hospital – often for months on end.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
and actually i was going to mention that it should be one that trys to get around the few dictators that absorb most of the efforts.
but desided to leave the door open to a tard like brian to be oh so predictable/ lmao/ pupit
November 5th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Victim Support are often unsung heroes too
November 5th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
LifeLine NZ, a national telephone counselling service
1.Charity must be based in NZ (but can have international focus)
Based in NZ, with branches of volunteers throughout the country.
2.Should have broad appeal, and be relatively apolitical
Takes calls from wide cross-section of the community, no political connections
3.Should have national relevance, not local only, and be topical
Provides support for the mentally ill, the stressed and the lonely. At the extreme end the service is often the last resort for those with suicidal tendencies.
4.Should actually deliver services of some kind, not just advocacy
Phones are staffed by volunteers 24/7 who are trained to provide “a listening ear” and coping strategies for those in distress
5.Should be reportable – as in the ability to keep people interested in the work they do with regular updates
All calls are logged and reported on a national data base – allows number of calls, types of calls and types of callers to be recorded.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
menace said
Actually I have a big head, as opposed to you who are a pin head.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Not bad idea but which one?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
if a hospice was chosen, instead of picking a specific one you could donate to Hospice NZ
November 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I understand where you’re coming from, but making terminally ill kids feel good is doing good. And it’s not like we can’t do both: research terminal child illness and bring what joy we can to the lives of those who will die before we can cure it.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I’d vote for Scouts, CanTeen, or Surf Aid. All do good work, but I think helping those outside NZ is perhaps a worthier goal than supporting something purely in NZ, I think Surf Aid is helping out after the Samoan Tsunami, and I know they are still doing a lot of work in the areas hit by the Boxing Day Tsunami years ago. So its pretty topical
November 5th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I know it is blatant self interest but what about the CRMS at: http://www.rmastudies.org.nz/
Because we dare to promote things like property rights and freedom we find we are disqualified from every normal channel of support such as the ASB trust and so on – all about Protecting the Environment even if the so called protection helps destroy it.
We always fall down the cracks.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
New Zealand Red Cross I say! Ticks all the boxes.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I agree with Owen. This is a centre-right political blog, so why not give to people who bust a gut promoting centre-right causes?
The likes of Owen McShane and Muriel Newman do a great job, largely unrewarded, providing first class commentary about issues most of us here care about.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Women’s Refuge have had a massive influx since the recession and are in need of resources. They have my vote.
I agree the chosen charity should be apolitical. And that is precisely because this is a centre-right blog. Y’all go on about how lower taxes give private individuals the choice to give to those in need, so that is what you should do! There are so many deserving charities out there.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
ansell..mcshane..?
oh..!..it just keeps getting better..!
how about a charity to send ansell somewhere..where he will be stopped/changed from having ‘race-issues’..?
(eh..?..’iwi-kiwi’..?..)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
November 5th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
“..We always fall down the cracks…”
can’t you go and ask the oil companies again..?
y’know ..!..see if they’ll fund a front-group for you..?
how about a name..?
how about ’something faux-science..?..
‘citizens rating environment economic protection’
it (suitably) means nothing..
and has a neat acronym..
eh..?
you could use c.r.e.e.p. to attack the socialist conspiracy that is g.w…eh..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
November 5th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
SPCA for down on their luck animals, Salvation Army for down on their luck people.
A tough ask David, it’s a bit like asking who your fav parent is but great idea.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Order of St John.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
WOBH
November 5th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Scouts NZ – a fantastic organisation that gives opportunity to all New Zealand boys and girls! It teaches our children how to be leaders and great citizens of New Zealand by having new and exciting adventures… what more could you want in an organisation!!
http://www.scouts.org.nz
November 5th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
A 50 week course of electro-convulsive therapy for philu.
Just tell me how much I have to pay to be allowed to throw the switch.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:28 am
nice idea using
this forum to pimp your own
wares john and owen…
November 6th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Hospice New Zealand (rather than an individual local hospice)
November 6th, 2009 at 7:58 am
I second CanTeen.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Red Cross as 100% of donations to them go to the frontline.
The running costs of the organisation are internally raised by e.g first aid training courses
November 6th, 2009 at 8:36 am
The Neurological Foundation of NZ. See http://www.neurological.org.nz It’s the main NZ charity dedicated to research into neurological disorders, the growth area of health problems we are all going to face. Alzheimer’s can be the subject of lots of jokes but in fact it’s not too funny for those affected – which is more and more of us as we get older. All donations to the NF go to research – the running costs are paid by endowments.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:40 am
OK, what about this transformational course for teenagers?
http://www.discoveryforteens.co.nz/
It doesn’t get much support, but I can testify from my own kids’ experience it does an awful lot of good.
Rather than be one of many sponsors of a standard charity, let’s be the lead sponsor of a programme that allows kids (many of them quite troubled) to turn their lives around and realise their potential.
Send some kids to Discovery who can’t get there any other way – on the condition that they or their parents report in every so often on how their lives are going.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:46 am
SPCA!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Okay, here are a couple of lesser known organisations that are recent arrivals in NZ:
Mens Sheds – they are a great place for older blokes to hang out with other blokes doing manly things. Keeps them active and keeps them in touch with agencies that can help with the health and welfare of older kiwi blokes. http://menssheds.org.nz/
The Computer Clubhouse – an after school computer drop-in centre where teens learn how to use computers. There is one in Otara, another is starting in Hamilton, and soon there will be one in Naenae. http://www.clubhouse274.org.nz/ for the Otara Clubhouse.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Donate to these guys:
http://www.vegetablecruelty.com/about/
Its time to liberate the carrot, free the cabbage and save the potato!
But seriously: I vote NZ Cancer Society.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
How about Big Buddy?
Most of us here are guys who are concerned about the wellbeing, and future of boys/men within our increasingly feminised society. Heck, we’ve just been considering the reduction of males achieving bachelor degrees compared to women, and the fact that the primary and secondary school systems, having been feminised for the last thirty or so years, has likely been the primary contributer to this recent outcome.
Let’s face it; boys and men are increasingly marginalised within our society. And men play a very minor part, if any, in the lives of most of our modern day children, especially boys. Big Buddy attempts to address this issue at the grass roots level.
http://www.bigbuddy.org.nz/
From their homepage:
November 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
SCOUTS NZ – a brilliant organisation that is changing the lives of thousands of New Zealand’s youth with a huge team of volunteers, and they do this with an incredibly small budget. Any assistance will improve the service and opportunities available for the young people of New Zealand
November 7th, 2009 at 11:45 am
SCOUTS NZ- My family and I love Scouts. It’s full of action, teamwork and learning new skills. In between the fun the kids learn to be responsible, caring citizens. We try to keep the memberships fees low so that anyone can join. Any assistance we get goes straight into youth programmes.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Scouts NZ – we have been involved a number of years and enjoy every minute. It is open to both boys and girls of all abilities. It is run by volunteers. It is a great place to provide boys with positive male role models. It enables kids to experience the outdoors and to have fun
November 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Bleaks [November 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pm],
AngelaS [November 7th, 2009 at 11:45 am],
whodinni [November 7th, 2009 at 8:45 pm],
I think you guys may have missed the point.
Please re-read David Farrar’s opening paragraph (quoted below):
While I have nothing against Scouts NZ, the offer David made was extended to this community, and was not extended as a free for all to non members in their bid to gain funds for their (pet) organisation.
I may be totally out of line here – as you could be regular readers who don’t comment, but the fact that three of you in a row are ALL new, and ALL support Scouts NZ, does give me cause to question your motives.
I apologise if I’m wrong.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Scouting needs your suport
November 8th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
MichaelE .. I have noted the men’s shed thing and may turn up and give it a go .. being a Waiuku bloke and all.
Kris K good call .. we all have our pet charities whatever. Scouts/Girl Guides/Brownies etc are good causes for charitable financial support .. I mentioned the Sallies and SPCA but then there are Surf Lifesaving, Westpac Helicopter and so on.
Where ever David puts his cash, it will be appreciated I’m sure.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Further to my November 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am comment:
Is this thread being hijacked by Scouts New Zealand?
I’ve just scrolled through all earlier comments.
ALL, except one, of the Scouts NZ supporters are BRAND NEW, first time commenters here. I therefore suspect that Scouts NZ are attemting to highjack this thread in a bid to secure funds – shame on you!
Following is a list of the (8) commenters supporting Scouts – I have included their comment count:
• Dolphin52 (1) 9 4 [November 5th, 2009 at 11:31 am]
• Shirley Nott (1) 8 5 [November 5th, 2009 at 12:59 pm]
• kauri (3) 9 3 [November 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm]
• kauri (3) 7 3 [November 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pm]
• kauri (3) 9 3 [November 5th, 2009 at 1:27 pm]
• pipnz (1) 6 1 [November 5th, 2009 at 10:05 pm]
• Bleaks (1) 5 1 [November 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pm]
• AngelaS (1) 5 1 [November 7th, 2009 at 11:45 am]
• whodinni (1) 3 1 [November 7th, 2009 at 8:45 pm]
• tinytott (1) 0 1 [November 8th, 2009 at 7:35 pm]
PS The only non new commenter supporting Scouts also suggested two other organisation (Scouts, CanTeen, or Surf Aid) as possible worthy candidates:
rolla_fxgt (141) [November 5th, 2009 at 2:49 pm]
I hope you see this DPF, and factor this in to your final decision.
Other regulars here may also have an opinion regarding this and feel inclined to comment accordingly.