Chanelle Haffenden has already raised $500 for Lifewise. Photo / Dean Purcell
When Chanelle Haffenden's plea for work was heard, she decided to pay it forward
A month ago, Chanelle Haffenden had no job and asked strangers for help.
She stood on a street with a sign asking for work and within a day had a job. Now she wants to give something back to the community.
After applying for more than 60 jobs she was offered a customer service role at ice block company Nice Blocks after the owners were sent a picture of her on Facebook with her sign saying: "Please give me a job."
"I guess I believe in the whole karma thing and just knowing people have helped me out during the hardest time of my life," Miss Haffenden said.
The 21-year-old started a Trade Me auction, selling Nice Blocks, with all the funds going to Lifewise, a community organisation that helps families in need and the homeless.
The auction closed yesterday after raising $500. Miss Haffenden said Lifewise had been a big help to her when she found herself homeless at one point last year.
"I used to go there and eat at the cafe, it was a dollar for coffee, which is really cheap, and they were so nice to talk to.
"I don't believe in people taking and not giving. I believe if someone gives to you, you have to give back and give back more. People helped me sometimes without me even asking for it and I will give it my all to try and figure a way to help them." The feedback she'd had from the auction was 98 per cent positive.
"Everyone has been really nice, [and] saying I'm an inspiration. A lot of people weren't aware of Lifewise and now a bit more people are so that has to be a good thing."
She wants to do more charity work. "Too many people think about their gain but you should be thinking about what you can give back - or to make someone smile or help someone's life for a day. If you can help one person even in a little way the world would be a much better place. Unfortunately the world is not like that, although it should be."
Nice Blocks co-director James Crow, 33, said the company had given Ms Haffenden an opportunity which she had turned into several others.
"We have a lot of seconds and material we can't sell so she had an idea for us to deliver those ice blocks to Women's Refuge and different groups who could enjoy a little treat without having to pay for it."
Lesley Mynett-Johnson, Lifewise's director of fundraising, said: "The support she has given us is really great and we really appreciate it."