Louise Maple says curtains make needy families' homes more comfortable. Photo / APN
This Christmas the Herald is again featuring charities which have been selected for a $10,000 donation from Auckland Airport. Eleven charities have been chosen and the 12th donation will go to the families of the Pike River 29. The $120,000 came from change given by travellers at the airport this year.
Energy Options is working hard to encourage people to be more energy efficient.
The not-for-profit organisation's staff throughout the country insulate homes for low costs, install solar water heating and give advice about alternative heating solutions and energy efficiency.
It is one of 12 groups receiving $10,000 grants provided through
Auckland Airport's 12 Days of Christmas project.
In keeping with the charity's aims, the money will go towards buying a biodiesel-fuelled van for one of its departments, Curtain Bank.
Curtain Bank gives hundreds of families curtains which have been donated to the charity.
Curtain Bank branches are in Rotorua, Whakatane and Hawkes Bay, but they help families from all over the country.
Co-ordinator Louise Maple said the van would help deliver hundreds of curtains to needy families.
"We are just so happy to get the $10,000 for the van. We already have biodiesel vans and they're great.
"This will help us get to more people who need these, and in an environmentally friendly way."
Mrs Maple said the Curtain Bank helped many people benefit from the thermal-backed and lined curtains.
Having curtains in a home was something people often took for granted and yet they were something many families could not afford.
"Around 10 to 20 per cent of heat can be gained from having curtains in a room," Mrs Maple said.
"So you can imagine the benefit of having them. We also know that the warmer your house is, the better your health.
"If you can do anything to keep that warmth in - even by putting up curtains - then that's helping your family."
Mrs Maple said that in the Bay of Plenty and areas around that region, Curtain Bank had helped up to 350 families this year.
Many were grateful to simply have a warmer home because of the curtains, but another benefit was the feeling that having them created.
"It makes [the house] feel homely and cosy. We had a woman tell us that she and her son were never at home most times because they didn't like the feel of it.
"Now they love being home because having the curtains makes it more cosy and welcoming."
