16 June 2020

Media: Rotorua Weekender

Topic: National Volunteer Week

Enquiry

I'm getting in touch as I'm working on a story around how this year's National Volunteer Week running from June 21 to 27, and wondered if it would be possible to get a few comments from the mayor to be a part of the story?

- Why is it so great and important to have a wide range of volunteers in the community?

- Why have volunteers been vital throughout the Covid pandemic/why are volunteers so vital coming out of it too?

- Why do you encourage the community to celebrate our city's volunteers over the coming week?

- Is there anything you would like to add?

Response

From Rotorua Mayor, Steve Chadwick:

Volunteer Week provides the opportunity to recognise and say thank you to all of the volunteers that do so much to help our community and hold us together.

Without volunteers, we couldn't build strong, resilient, and connected communities and we have learnt that so clearly during the COVID-19 response and lockdown period. Thank you all for looking out for one another and to the volunteers who delivered extra services that really made a difference in people's lives during such a challenging time.

During National Volunteer Week I will host a small morning tea to thank those volunteers who we have heard really went well beyond their call of duty during the COVID-19 response.

Volunteers are such a valuable part of our community, and what better way to celebrate them than during Volunteer Week.