ZEAL is a not-for-profit Rotary youth organisation that helps advance young people in creative arts, leadership and education. For more than a decade, Zeal has supported young people through development pathways and events at its purpose-built youth facilities in Wellington and Auckland.
Zeal has come to Hamilton. In 2010 the Rotary Club of Waikato Sunrise donated $6000 to assist with the initial scoping phase of the Zeal Hamilton project, raise funds for the mobile Zeal coffee cart and purpose-built Hamilton youth facilities.
In 2011 Waikato Sunrise raised $4000 for a mobile coffee cart and also pledged $30,000 towards the purpose built youth facility. With the Virtual Zeal Mobile Unit fully operational Zeal has recently run two Lime Light events in the CBD. The first was a "Skate or Die" competition at the Age Concern centre car park and a second is planned. Zeal also ran its first acoustic show at the Art Museum.
Zeal is fundraising for $300,000 towards fit-out costs associated with the building project. By May $143,000 had been raised.
A donation of $10,000 was handed to the Westpac Air Ambulance representative Grant Bremner by Les Christopher, president of the Rotary Club of Te Rapa. Les said the funds came from the club's charity golf tournament and other fundraising activities. "We recognise the role that the air ambulance service plays in the wider Waikato region and just how important it is to the community."
Hamilton Rotary Club's Chefs Night Out Charity dinner was a great success. An auction raised $5500 for the Salvation Army Food Bank, while the money from the dinner raised $18,000 for Hospice and more for various local and overseas Rotary projects. To book for 2013's event contact ivon@ihug.co.nz.
Fairfield Rotary Club's annual book fair netted $48,000 which will be used primarily for local community and youth projects.
Officials for 2012/2013 Rotary year - club presidents Fairfield: Bruce Sinkinson, Frankton: Glen Lawrence, Hamilton: Roger Fitzgerald; Tim Brooker (Hamilton East). District Governor: Roger Miller (Tauranga Te Papa).