‘From the Bottom of our Hearts, Thank You’
How an initiative from Crown Workspace and Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites is giving people a fresh start …
The Salvation Army recently opened a brand-new social housing complex, and a creative partnership between Crown and Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites has provided a life-changing opportunity for its new residents.
Getting creative
When Crown Workspace won a contract to remove furniture from Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort in Queenstown, the company’s leadership came up with a creative solution for the high-end goods: donate it and transport it to those who need it most in New Zealand.
Oaks management and the Body Corporate came on board with the idea. Seven containers of high-quality furniture – including lounge suites, dining tables, beds and even dishwashers – were sent to Salvation Army centres around the country. It was distributed by the Crown Workspace team to Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland – areas identified as having the greatest need and at no cost to the Army.
‘It was a huge logistical task for Crown and Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort, and I’m just so thankful for their generosity – it is already making such a difference to people in need.’
Crown is one of only five companies to have received The Salvation Army’s ‘Valued Partner’ Award. It’s something they are ‘incredibly proud of’, according to the company’s leadership. They add that without the Oaks coming on board, the project could not have happened.
‘Thanks to the generosity of Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort, the body corporate and individual owners, there will be additional support provided to a huge community of families, many of whom are desperately in need.’
Turning houses into homes
Much of the furniture from Oaks has already been distributed and is being used by families around the country. In Dunedin, a mum and her children tragically lost their home when it burned down, leaving them with nothing. It was the fire service that called Salvation Army Community Ministries, asking for help with a food parcel. The Army was able to go a step further and provide new furniture for the family.
‘They were very, very thankful. We’ve established an ongoing relationship with them and are still supporting them.’
Many of those who have received furniture are moving out of transitional housing and into permanent accommodation. When Chay Thomson was able to move out of The Salvation Army’s Epsom Lodge and into a home, he was given a couch, table and chairs, coffee table and photo frames.
‘It’s really awesome, it’s helped me a lot. I really appreciate it because I didn’t have anything and I’m just really grateful and thankful to people who donate things like this for people who need it.’
‘When clients find more permanent accommodation, furniture is a huge need. With the recent donation of furniture we are able to help people in a very practical way that not only helps financially, but contributes to mental and emotional well-being. It gives people a much better chance of a successful transition to the community.’
The furniture has also been used to replace old, mismatched furniture in Salvation Army hostels. At Addington in Christchurch, which provides 76 beds for men mostly referred through corrections, the furniture was put to immediate use in sprucing up the place.
‘People have a perception of what a hostel is like, so it was a massive improvement and that’s been very positive. It’s that first impression when people come in, and when they see it’s clean and tidy, they’re more likely to say, “Hey, it’s worth giving it a go”.’
Thank you!
Being part of helping people make a new life for themselves is ‘very humbling’, adds Crown’s leadership. ‘Giving back gives us great pleasure and it’s wonderful to be involved with a project where there are so many selfless and generous people doing exactly that. Thank you so much to everyone involved.’
‘First and foremost, thank you for all your help. Secondly, thank you so much for helping me out with furniture. We greatly appreciate the things you have given to help us move forward. The sofa is very comfortable. The dining table has allowed us to have family over for lunch or just a place to sit and have a chat. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.’
If you wish to discuss this article further please contact Nathan Baker – Regional Manager, Crown Workspace via email: nbaker@crownww.com