A synergy of company values and a community-run charity has led to Wellington civil contracting company Mills Albert donating its Wellington rugby Lions and Pride front jersey sponsorship to Bellyful.
The company’s principals, who have connections to Sacred Heart Whanganui, St Augustine’s Whanganui, Hato Paora in Feilding and Whanganui Boys College, have chosen to put the company second and the Bellyful charity first.
Bellyful at the fore
Mills Albert has naming rights to the Wellington Lions (men’s) and Wellington Pride (women’s) rugby teams.
Rather than advertise the firm however, the company has chosen to highlight Bellyful, a nationwide charity that cooks and delivers meals to young families that need them.
Viewers of last Friday’s men’s game would have noticed Wellington playing in pink jerseys sporting Bellyful’s name and logo on the front.
“We are extremely humbled to be asked to have the naming rights on the front of the Lions and the Women’s Pride team jersey” Corporate Services Manager Lisa Mills-Albert told CathNews.
She said that Wellington Rugby wholeheartedly agreed with the initiative to gift the front of the jersey to a charity.
Caring for whānau critical
With so many excellent charities, the question of which one the company should support proved a challenge.
Mills-Albert told CathNews they wanted a charity that resonated with their company values and which emphasise whānau. They also wanted a charity that is not well known.
In what she described as a “light-bulb moment” Mills-Albert said it led them to the mainly volunteer-run Bellyful.
That choice went down well with the Lions and the Pride.
Wellington Rugby chief executive Tony Giles describes the NPC first as “very exciting”.
“All players have a mum, sister, aunt or niece and at some stage may have to or had needed the services of Bellyful” says Mills-Albert.
She said the Pride embraces every ounce of Bellyful’s services, of understanding the challenges of raising a family without judgment, and of providing meals and support.
Bellyful – more than a meal
Bellyful has over 650 volunteers who cook and deliver free frozen meals to whānau with babies or young children who need support.
We are “over the moon” says Fiona Wilson, the charity’s acting chief executive.
“Bellyful’s Wellington volunteers are abuzz about the sponsorship, and many others across the country are even pledging to switch sides this season to support Wellington instead of their local province” she told The Herald.
“While we are a busy and growing charity, many people still have not heard of us.
“This will undoubtedly change that and help us reach even more whānau who need support.
“It may also help us find more volunteers and raise donations from people who wish to help us fill bellies.
“These are often exhausted new parents, many with no extended family nearby or simply going through a tough patch.
“Bellyful also helps many whānau where someone is unwell or who have babies in neonatal units.
“It does not offer advice or judge – it just provides meals.”
Mills-Albert says the company’s values fit well with Bellyful and are:
- Karawhiua – versatile – we are multi-talented and up for a challenge
- Mana – proud – we respect our people, our work and the land
- Auahatanga – pioneering – we create the path and lead the way
- Whānau Kotahitanga – we are one
Sources
- NZ Herald
- Supplied