Pukekohe Rotary came to the rescue of a special needs school in real need of a van for its pupils through the proceeds of its annual book sale and making sensible use of available trusts for the rest of the funds needed.  A great example of leveraging resources for a wonderful outcome.  Read on …
 
 
One of this country’s top ranked Special Needs Schools recently set itself an ambitious goal – integrating their young adult (18-21 year old students) with significant disabilities into the community.

But Pukekohe’s Parkside School had a problem – there was no suitable vehicle to transport the students to their activities around town.

Principal, Judith Nel, was desperate for a mini-bus or van big enough to carry eleven passengers.. Pukekohe Rotary came to the rescue. A project team was set up under President Elect Ross Beal. Organised funding of $15000 through the Pukekohe Rotary Inc. Charitable Trust, assisted with donations from the Harold Thomas Rotary Trust and the June Gray Charitable Trust. Rotarian Don Thompson used his connections within the car industry to source a suitable Hi Ace Van with 11 individual high-back seats Michaela Radonich and colleagues at from SignMax Pukekohe assisted with the design and production of the van’s signage.

At the official presentation, Pukekohe Rotary President, Derek Hopkins, commented that Rotary were delighted to assist such a worthy cause. “The Parkside project has been an excellent example of Rotary using its influence to garner local funding and business support, and raise money through the wider Rotary community” said Derek.

Much of the funds from Rotary were raised in an annual book sale!
Principal Judith thanked Rotary and everyone involved. “The van has been operational since early February and is already helping my staff maximise the student lives post- Parkside. It is allowing us to get them into activities such as work experience, recreational facilities, local businesses and all those places important for everyday living”.
 
Of interest for Rotarians is that the club raised $4750 from their book sale and by leveraging this by applying for an receiving grants from the Harold Thomas Trust, the June Grey Trust and the District 9920 District Designated Fund they turned this into the $15,000 needed for the new van.
 
Finally, never to miss out on a change to publicise Rotary in a long-term way, the sign was prominently sign written with the Rotary emblem.