Yvonne Judge acknowledges that someone would "have to be a bit of a nut to get out of bed every morning to give money away", yet that is what she does.
This "nuttiness" has paid off, the Ruakaka second-hand store owner winning a $5000 grant from Energizer's Power of Positive Energy project in the community improvement category.
Ms Judge has been greatly involved in the Ruakaka and wider community, and lends a hand to anyone in need.
She was nominated for the grant by her daughter who kept it a secret until last week.
"When she told me that she nominated me, I said, 'Oh, not another one'," said Ms Judge, who has received several awards for her community involvement.