Waihinga Centre Fund-Raising Closes in on Target

A magnificent $1.28 million has been raised from the Martinborough community and trust grants so far, to enable the transformation of our Town Hall into a multi-purpose community hub. The fund-raising team is closing in on the desired target of $1.5m set by South Wairarapa District Council to progress the project to the next stage.

Victoria Read (Project Coordinator) explains “the project has resource consent and the next step is to commission detailed design drawings for the building consent application. We believe that meeting our target of $1.5m will give SWDC the confidence to approve this next project phase, at their meeting on 3rd June”.
The fund-raising team is working hard to achieve the June target, meeting on Tuesday 28th April to draw up a targeted plan for a fund-raising drive during May. Victoria says “we have a number of ideas but in particular we would like to encourage those who can, to give amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $1,500, these pledges will be recognised with donors’ names recorded on engraved seating in the park around the new community centre.

The necessary paperwork to establish a charitable trust is with the Charities Commission. Once the Trust is in place and Council give the go ahead a further community fund-raising campaign will be launched with a number of exciting events already in the pipeline for the year ahead. It will also be made possible for those who wish to donate online.

When the Eastern and Central Community Trust announced last month that the project had won the biggest grant the Trust was able to award they said “this project is seen as a good example of a community coming together to achieve an outcome for the good of the community. The Waihinga Centre will provide a focal point for the South Wairarapa community for many years to come.”
So if you are a supporter but haven’t yet got around to making a pledge – now is the time!
 
How to pledge
 
No amount is too small or too large to help, and there’s no requirement to hand over cash right now – payments can be made over three years and contributions over $5 will be treated as charitable donations, eligible for corresponding tax deductions.

To find out more or discuss a pledge you can contact Victoria Read on 0272 271 252 or Max Stevens on 06 306 9095. Alternatively you can e-mail info@waihingacentre.nz.