At Community Impact Day across the country this May we were able to really “make a difference” to thousands in our communities by giving away FREE Blankets and Pyjamas to those in need.
Our Blanket and Pyjama drive extended across New Zealand, with dedicated volunteers at four Auckland locations, Hamilton, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Invercargill, working tirelessly to bring comfort, food and prayer to those in need.
The Heart of Auckland
In Auckland alone, our efforts were supported by 400 enthusiastic volunteers. Here are the numbers and remember that every number represents a precious person.
1. West Auckland: Provided for 942 adults, 1068 children, and 373 families.
2. Onepoto: Distributed blankets and pyjamas to 353 adults, 390 children, and 149 families.
3. North Shore: Blessed 243 adults, 285 children, and 107 families.
4. Panama: Assisted 1214 adults, 1446 children, and 603 families.
In total, Auckland saw the distribution of blankets and pyjamas reaching 1232 families and touching the lives of 5941 individuals. How good!?
Reaching Beyond Auckland
Our reach extended far beyond Auckland:
Hamilton: 33 volunteers lovingly gave out 123 blankets and 121 pyjamas to bless 39 families. This location helped over 237 individuals and had to turn away a further 10 families due to running out of supplies.
Queenstown: Distributed 30 blankets, 33 pairs of pyjamas, and provided 15 trailer loads of wood for the upcoming winter season. They also gave out meals and canned food to 25 families, all with the help of 30 volunteers.
North Canterbury: This Campus that has only been open for a couple of months did so well! Giving away Blankets and PJS to just under 60 people.
Invercargill: Our southernmost campus deployed 12 volunteers to distribute 44 blankets, helping to combat the winter chill in their community.
Dunedin: For the second consecutive year, Our Dunedin Gathering has brought warmth and comfort to families in need at Musselburgh School by delivering blankets and pajamas. This year, we were delighted to provide 20 bundles of cozy blankets and pyjamas, spreading a little extra love and care to our community.
Community Efforts in Numbers
To make these efforts possible, here are some other figures:
1. Sausages and Bread: We bought 2600 sausages and 168 loaves of bread to feed the families at each location.
2. North Shore Jobs: 12 house clean-up jobs were completed, involving 4 skip bins and 7 hired weed eaters. Here is a beautiful message from a family we helped:
‘I can’t thank you enough for today. Everyone was so lovely and I appreciate everything that have done for me. It means so much. I can actually breathe for the first time in a long time in my house”
4. Logistics: We needed 5 trucks and five storage units to manage and distribute supplies.
Join Us
Our mission every winter to bless our community with blankets and pyjamas is far from complete. Each blanket and every pair of pyjamas represents the warmth and care of our community. We invite you to join us, volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word. Together, we can continue to make a difference, one family, one person, at a time. Why not come to our next Community Impact Day in November? Well done City Impact Church – We are large enough to make a difference, yet small enough to care.
