Thanks to our Santas!
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A great big thank-you!
From guide dogs to adaptive technology, telephone information to business systems, New Zealand organisations have generously supported the Foundation's work this year.
Bayleys Realty Group became the principal sponsor of Guide Dog Services in March with the phrase 'before guidance comes trust' and is committed to raising funds for 100 guide dogs over three years.
The New Zealand Community Trust regionally supported the breeding and training of guide dogs, and made a national grant towards the Library Services.
Kimberly-Clark continued supporting guide dog puppy Winsome's website, a project run by Manurewa High School students.
While the public face of the Foundation is very much "people working with people", the Library is one of our most cherished services. This year the Lion Foundation has again generously supported our ongoing work to transform the Library into a modern, digital resource. With their help we will be upgrading the server that stores our new digital masters.
The Lion Foundation and Telecom NZ support the Telephone Information Service for members. Telecom also provides free local calling for RNZFB offices. Both organisations have this year backed our "behind-the-scenes" integration of a number of key business systems, Telecom by providing free consulting and installation support and the Lion Foundation with financial support. This work will initially allow us to more effectively keep track of our members' details and ultimately make sure that we continue to work in the most efficient ways.
Both the New Zealand Vodafone Foundation and the Tertiary Education Commission have supported our commitment to upskilling members in adaptive technology (AT). The Commission has provided funding for AT training for one year while the Vodafone Foundation has funded a full-time technology expert. This person provides back-up technical support to members.
The work of walking alongside blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders as they claim both independence and inclusion in society is exciting, inspiring and challenging. It's also costly! The generosity of these seven organisations goes hand in hand with the time given by thousands of Kiwis who volunteer during appeal weeks, and on an ongoing basis during the year.
Our sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you. We wish you a safe and prosperous New Year.