First week of operations completed!
And what a week it’s been! It was truly fantastic to meet and network with so many new people, many of whom have deeply humbled us with their generosity and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. The connections we've made have been inspiring, and it's clear that there are many people out there dedicated to making a difference in their communities.
The first food assistance parcels have been put together, and we’re thrilled to have started making connections with the people we aim to support. This is just the beginning of a journey, and getting to know the people in the community we exist to support is a vital step in ensuring we can truly meet their needs. Additionally, we’ve had our first consultations with our sponsors and supporters, which have been incredibly productive. Their enthusiasm and insights are helping shape the direction of our efforts, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.
We’ve also interviewed the first of our potential volunteers this week, and we look forward to welcoming them on board as we continue to build a dedicated team. In the coming weeks, we’re excited to brainstorm the filming of our social media and donation drive advertisements to help raise our profile and let people know we’re ready to engage and assist where needed.
A big thank you to everyone who made this week such a success, including our Digital Solutions Expert, Lucas Lima, whose expertise will be instrumental in moving things forward. We are also incredibly grateful to the wonderful delivery drivers from Woolworths, whose timely and efficient deliveries have ensured our logistics are running smoothly. The staff at Warehouse Stationery were fantastic, dealing with last-minute printing requests, and also quick at returning lost office keys that had been left at their countertop.
To our private donors and benefactors who generously contributed $300 worth of food to our stores, your support is truly making a difference. And a special thank you to Meg Martin from Volunteer Marlborough. Meg's knowledge and guidance have been invaluable for local non-profits for many years. Being able to call on Meg's experience and understanding of the needs of the community will be crucial as we navigate the complexities of our work, and we’re lucky to have Volunteer Marlborough as a resource. It can be scary dipping your toes into an entirely new sector, and people like Meg help alleviate the fears and doubts that naturally come with it!
On Friday afternoon, Bron Mogridge was kind enough to pop by in her capacity as Grey Power Marlborough President. Meeting Bron was a great way to get caught up with how other entities are supporting the 65+ demographic in the region. We discussed Grey Power, ElderLink, and the challenges faced by the demographic we aim to support in Marlborough.
We’re incredibly fortunate to have such passionate people behind us, with support coming from all corners of the region and even as far south as Christchurch this week alone! The sense of collaboration and community is inspiring, and it motivates us to keep moving forward with even more dedication.
The ElderLink office is nearly complete, with just a few more assets to be delivered and some decorative touches left to finish off the list. It’s exciting to see everything come together, and we can’t wait to see it fully operational.
Until next week!