Pride of NZ: Charmaine helps? Let us count the ways

Charmaine McGlone knits dog jackets for the CHB SPCA, among many other community works.

Voluntary efforts to help others can go a long way in a small community such as Central Hawke's Bay and such contributions have resulted in Waipukurau woman Charmaine McGlone's nomination for a Pride of New Zealand award this year.

For more than 20 years, Charmaine has been a member of Age Concern, initially joining with her husband Jack, and continuing her involvement after he died eight years ago.

"While he was in care for about two years, I found out about the Buddy Line," she says.

"It's for people who live on their own and perhaps get a bit lonely. I give them a phone call and have a chat - it fills a little bit of time in for them."

She has about five people on her list and rings them once or twice a week. Not only Age Concern benefits from her activities, however.

A keen knitter for most of her life - her Arran jerseys have loving homes all around the world - she knits peggy squares for the local branch of Operation Cover Up, which sends blankets and garments to people in need in Eastern Europe.

More recently, her efforts have turned to the CHB SPCA, where homeless dogs and puppies now sport her custom-made woollen jackets to help them through the winter months.

Charmaine is also a keen baker - "hide the bathroom scales", she laughs.

Many have enjoyed her delicious scones, ginger loaves, lemon meringue pies and home-made cornish pasties, to name a few of the goodies that have been generously shared with others.

Growing plants from seed for her local church to sell on fundraising days is another way she keeps busy and gives back.

In her spare time, Charmaine writes stories for National Radio's Sunday night Sounds Historical programme.

She has had three items accepted and aired so far, the most recent in March this year when she shared her memories of World War II.

"I was 7 and remember the food rationing, there were coupons for everything, and the convoys going through town in the early hours of the morning - it wasn't scary for us kids, it was a big adventure."

Aged 79, Charmaine shows no signs of slowing down, and she confesses to having an inquiring mind, which last week was set on figuring out who nominated her for an award.

"I like to keep busy - life is a learning curve all the time," she says.

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Nominations for the 2015 awards have now closed.
To see more stories of our wonderful nominees click here.
For more information on the awards go to the official website.