Auckland alumni answer call for volunteers

The Salvation Army Epsom Lodge was one of dozens of charities where alumni mucked-in during the University’s inaugural Volunteer Impact Week, held in June.

Graduates joined Newmarket Rotarians to create the new garden. About ten volunteers demolished four existing vegetable gardens, built a new garden closer to the kitchen, created a worm farm, and freed up space to encourage backyard activity for residents.

Epsom Lodge provides transitional accommodation and support to up to 85 residents who, for one reason or another, find themselves without suitable housing.

Across the city on the North Shore, alumni also spent a day at Abilities incorporated, a non-profit which provides meaningful work opportunities to people with disabilities.

Volunteers worked alongside staff in the recycling facility, helping to dismantle electronic items and separating plastic from paper.

The worldwide volunteering initiative involved more than 500 University of Auckland graduates, students and staff who pledged at least one hour of their time to a local cause. Events took place in numerous international cities including Vancouver, Beijing, New York, London, and of course, Auckland.

Alumni Relations Manager Joel Terwilliger says the inaugural Volunteer Impact Week was a global celebration of giving back which utilised the talent, skills and altruistic nature of the University of Auckland community.

“This was about our community taking action and bringing all of us together for the single purpose of contributing to social and environmental issues here in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also in communities across the globe,” Joel says.