Volunteering makes the Tauranga migrant feel at home.

Rigon (photographed with his family), who moved to Tauranga with his wife Joy and their three sons in 2017, has dedicated himself to supporting the rapidly growing Filipino community in the area.

The family chose New Zealand for its appealing environment.

"I'd heard many good things about New Zealand and my wife has relatives already living here" Rigon said.

"It's less congested in Tauranga. Many Filipinos move here and families often follow each other."

Under Rigon's leadership, "Club Filipino" organises an annual meet-and-greet event for new migrants.

The event provides essential information on the likes of road safety, immigration rules, banking and local laws.

It aims to equip newcomers with the knowledge they need to navigate life in New Zealand effectively.

All migrants welcome

The event is open to all migrants, not just those from the Philippines, showcasing the club's commitment to inclusivity.

Rigon noted that approximately 4,300 members are part of the club's Facebook group, with about 70 percent of them still residing in Tauranga.

The club also facilitates the donation of furniture and household goods to assist new arrivals in setting up their homes.

In addition to the meet-and-greet, "Club Filipino" hosts a three-day cultural event during Matariki, featuring sports, arts and crafts and other activities that promote cultural exchange among different migrant groups.

Rigon's commitment to volunteerism extends beyond his role at "Club Filipino".

He previously served as Youth President in his village in the Philippines and worked as a sports coordinator at an international school in Thailand.

His extensive experience in community service underlines the importance of volunteerism in fostering community cohesion.

Rigon's efforts help newcomers feel at home and strengthen the community ties that bind Tauranga's multicultural society together.

Source

• Sun Live

One of this year's three Stratford District Citizen Award recipients, Patsy has spent countless hours over the years volunteering for all sorts of local and national groups, including the Stratford Foodbank, the Stratford Hospice Shop, Meals on Wheels and assisting with the Cancer Society's Daffodil Day. Read more

Reports compiled by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) show the number of volunteers has been steadily falling each year. It estimated there were 3.3 million volunteers in 2020, and the census found just over 2.9 million people had done voluntary work in 2021, or about 14 per cent of those who answered.

At crisis helpline Lifeline, the search for volunteers is constant and has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

"Our phones are ringing 24/7 obviously, and tech service now is 24/7 - and [we have] around 3000 phone calls a day. So we always need more volunteers at Lifeline, that's for sure," acting chief executive Robert Sams said.

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With 41,600 Kiwis not knowing where they will sleep tonight, and many not having access to a shower or laundry services demand for Orange Sky services has doubled.

And, it needs more volunteers.

Orange Sky, offers a mobile laundry and hot shower service working on the streets and in particular it asking Wellingtonians to volunteer some of their time.

Eddie Uini​, who leads New Zealand's branch of Orange Sky, says unlike Auckland, which is inundated with volunteers, the opposite is true of Wellington.

Finding volunteers in the capital is one of the charity's challenges.

"We'd welcome people with open arms," says Orange Sky's Wellington team leader Debs Burson. "Every day when the van is not used is a sad day."

"The day when our vans aren't needed, I'll celebrate more than anyone but there is a need in both Auckland and Wellington."

Unemployment has risen to 151,000 last September - 37,000 more than in the previous quarter. That was the biggest quarterly increase since 1986.

Food parcels are needed now more than ever.

Since the pandemic, there has also been an increase in single-income families using the charity to help reduce living costs, says Uini.

Orange Sky's distinctive orange-painted mobile laundry van is a self-contained unit. It has two washing machines, two dryers and a shower. It also has its own power, water and waste systems.

The charity's services are free of charge and open for anyone in need.

Orange Sky helps people experiencing homelessness or those who for various reasons don't have or can't afford hot water or a washing machine.

Burson​ can't speak highly enough of her involvement with the mobile laundry service.

It's a family affair, she says. Her husband is the vehicle co-ordinator and her 12-year-old daughter is the youngest person on the Wellington team.

"We've been part of Orange Sky since its launch - it's amazing, we love it."

"A lot of people who come to my shift are families and there's always kids running around. It's an incredible community. We really feel part of it."

Another volunteer comments: "You build trust and build friendships because everyone is consistently there every Friday. You're there for the highs and lows, and to celebrate the successes."

Wellington service leader Cathy Knowsley​ said the demand for its service had been consistent.

There were about 25 volunteers and the van did about 30 to 40 loads of washing a week.

"We currently have six shifts, and we'd love to have more, and reach more of the region," Knowsley said.

In the capital, the van visits the Compassion Soup Kitchen in Te Aro, Wellington City Mission in Newtown, Raukawa Community Centre in Strathmore Park and Linden Community Centre in Tawa.

Source

• Stuff
• Image: Stuff

Volunteer centres throughout the country report a 10 to 25 per cent increases in volunteers, says Leisa de Klerk, who manages Dunedin and Waitaki for Volunteer South, a charitable trust that connects volunteers with volunteering opportunities.

The volunteers' profile is changing too, she says.

While volunteering is often perceived as the realm of retired people, last year, women aged between 30 and 59 in full-time employment, were the most likely age group to volunteer.

An expression of the increasing interest in volunteering is the 100+ volunteers, who each week, give their time to help positively connect with some of the 41,000 New Zealanders doing it tough reports Orange Sky.

"It (Orange Sky) is a service that many people may not realise is necessary", says Eddie Uini is the organisation's manager and sole employee.

Orange Sky vans provide a mobile free laundry and shower service. The people they target are experiencing homelessness or living in cars and overcrowded housing.

"Most of us assume we'll put on a set of clean clothes every day. But when a person is homeless, access to bathing and laundry facilities is usually difficult", Uini says.

For many homeless people, their clothes can be their most precious possessions and sometimes they have only one set.

Uini says it is a joy to be able to provide support in such as practical and encouraging way.

"When we started out, some clients said it was their first shower in months", he said.

Volunteers connect with clients through genuine and non-judgemental conversation.

While the person is doing their laundry, the volunteers with them and chat - it's a simple opportunity for everyday people to connect in a safe, positive and supportive environment, Uini says.

The increasing level of volunteer involvement is a source of encouragement for Uini.

"The long-term dream is to have an Orange Sky van visiting every town that needs it", he says.

Uini says Orange Sky is a fledgeling outreach and while expanding through the kind generosity of financial donors and volunteers, the organisation is taking the expansion one step at a time.

Source

• Daily Encourager
• Daily Encourager
• Image: Orange Sky

Markle, who is Prince Harry's fiancee, says on the first day she "felt really scared.

"I was young, and it was rough and raw down there, and though I was with a great volunteer group, I just felt overwhelmed."

When Markle considered volunteering there again, she sought the advice of her theology teacher, Maria Pollia.

She needed to know how to volunteer without being afraid.

Pollia said she told her "to put the needs of others beyond your own fears".

Markel says she remembered this advice long after her junior year.

She mentions this advice in a book she was interviewed for: "The Game Changers: Success Secrets From 40 Women at the Top: How to Become a Fearless, Fabulous Girl Boss".

Pollia says she feels such recognition is just as much a credit to the school (Immaculate Heart High School) as to her own views about serving others.

Source

• Crux
• Brit + Co
• Image: Insider