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Civic awards honour Methodist Mission’s earthquake responseThe Methodist Mission will receive four civic awards during commemorations marking the first anniversary of the February 22nd Christchurch earthquake. One award is from the Christchurch City Council and recognises the Methodist Mission’s service to the community after the September 4th, 2010 and February 22nd, 2011 quakes. Every year the Christchurch City Council bestows civic awards that recognise significant voluntary service that benefits the city and its people. This year’s awards are called the Christchurch Earthquake Awards and recognise acts of kindness, service and heroism during or after the earthquakes. Central government will also honour the Methodist Mission’s service after the earthquake with three awards – for leadership, innovation and collaboration. These awards are from the Ministry of Social Development’s Greater Christchurch Community Response Forum and highlight outstanding contributions made following the February 2011 earthquake. Methodist Mission executive director Mary Richardson says on 22 February, quietly and all but unnoticed by the media, the Methodist Mission became one of the first organisations to get up and running, ready to respond to the needs of those affected by the disaster. “While others were hurrying to their homes after the big quakes, our aged care workers were running to our Wesley hospitals and rest homes to make sure our older residents were okay. “They worked 24/7 through aftershocks, at times without power, water or sewage system. Some brought in their own barbeques to cook meals and boil water.” Mary Richardson says it is fantastic to see the Council and central government recognise the largely unsung heroes of the earthquake, those in the age care sector. After the devastating February quake, other Methodist Mission staff immediately started working with the Ministry for Social Development and other agencies to identify the parts of the city where support was most needed. They then deployed multidisciplinary teams to those areas. These included rapid response teams to provide support for grieving families and respond to 0800 calls. The earthquakes badly damaged the Methodist Mission's own social service facilities and offices. Its food bank, goods store and group rooms were destroyed. Its main office building was badly damaged and is not yet accessible. “In the aftermath of the quakes, our social services became a mobile service. We moved to where the need was rather than focus on re-establishing a new centre. The dedication of our staff meant that within those first few weeks we were able to coordinate thousands of referrals for help,” Mary Richardson says. She acknowledges the extraordinary generosity of businesses, parishes, communities groups, trusts and individuals from around New Zealand and throughout the world who provided support after the earthquakes. Their donations meant the Methodist Mission could immediately redeploy all its free resources to earthquake relief. “We also want to acknowledge the people we serve – our older residents, the children in our early childhood centre, the children, young people, families and individuals we work with. They all deserve an award. “They have been amazing over the last year. They have been strong and patient and they have done the best they can in difficult circumstances,” Mary Richardson says. For more information contact Mary Richardson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 027 353 4692.
Generosity creates hundreds of Christmas hampersAfter a tough year in Christchurch, it seems generosity still knows no bounds. This week, the Christchurch Methodist Mission will distribute more than 500 Christmas Hampers to families and older people struggling with the aftermath of this year’s destruction and upheaval. “It’s an amazing testimony of how when the chips are down, just how caring New Zealanders really are” said Mary Richardson, Executive Director of the Christchurch Methodist Mission. “Substantial donations from the Methodist Church of New Zealand and the Christchurch Earthquake Fund have made this project possible. The money came from all over New Zealand” said Richardson. “The Methodist Mission has been alongside struggling families and households all year and we knew just how desperately this project was needed this Christmas. So we were just thrilled when the Church and the Earthquake Fund asked us to undertake this huge task”. David Bush, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in NZ said “ We were acutely aware of what a huge load the Christchurch Methodist Mission had been quietly shouldering through the whole year since September 2010. It was also at some real cost to the Methodist Mission, because they too had lost use of their offices in Durham Street in the February quake. So this was one way the wider Church could help resource an even greater measure of generosity this Christmas.” The Methodist Mission has the support of a wider team to assist in the distribution of the hampers. Other community groups, the City Mission, local parishes and businesses are assisting. “It’s a wonderful example of how important being part of a network of agencies is today” said Richardson. “We will always be able to achieve more together, than we will ever achieve alone.” In addition to the hampers the Mission has made from the donations there are also hundreds of hampers made and donated by families, businesses, public servants and local parishes as part of next week’s Support a Family Programme. “The Methodist Mission began Support a Family more than 10 years ago. We wanted to help families celebrate Christmas together a home. But for many families, that can be quite a challenge. No more so than this year. Homes, jobs, children’s treasures and in some cases, even family have been lost.”. “It’s no longer just young families in crisis” said Richardson. “Increasingly we’re alongside older folk who are really struggling. The events of this year have really taken a toll of them. They’re also often the most reluctant to ask.” “2011 has been quite a year yet remarkably there has been no let-up in the generous support we receive every year from businesses, community groups, families, local churches who make these amazing Support A Family Christmas Hampers possible”. Richardson said “The generosity has been overwhelming, especially when you realise they too have lost homes, community facilities, workplaces, and for some, even family”. 14 December 2011
Support A Family and A Brighter ChristmasThe Christchurch Methodist Mission invites individuals, families, groups, parishes or businesses to Support A Family or a make a Brighter Christmas for an Older Person by providing a Christmas hamper. This year has been tough for everyone living in the greater Christchurch area. Life has been particularly challenging for children and older people. We ask you to sponsor a family or an older person this Christmas.It is very simple, you make up a hamper and drop it to the Christchurch Methodist Mission before Christmas – we pass it on to a family or older person in need in need. Support a Family: Read more...A Brighter Christmas for an Older Person: Read more...
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