Club makes big impact

ENERGIZER: Katie Williams is in the running to receive a $5000 grant through Energizer for the Coffin Club. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER.

Energizer has launched a nationwide search to track down Kiwis harnessing the power of positive energy to make small changes with a big impact, and Rotorua Kiwi Coffin Club founder Katie Williams is in the running.

The Energizer Power of Positive Energy Project will reward the inspiring work of 10 New Zealanders dedicated to bringing about change in their community, with the winning submission receiving a grant of $5000.

Katie says this is a great chance to put the story of the coffin club out into the community.

"We firmly believe that we have got it right in that our aim is to be an important part of our community. We function to enhance the lives of our members while helping with the inevitable ending of life. The involvement with the families and friends of our members has been a wonderful and rewarding part of the club," she says.

"We have 70 members who are all volunteers. This project allows, mostly folk in their 'autumn years', the opportunity to meet, to work side-by-side, to achieve, to socialise and to belong. We make our own coffins and we make and donate caskets for babies who die before birth. The adult coffins are made at a small cost and personalise the owner's life with the decoration.

"The club members meet once a week, with up to 50 there. It is the highlight of the week for many. The chance to help one another, to get the cuddles - we all deserve and to socialise and energise."

Marketing manager of Energizer New Zealand Limited Andre de Beer says this project enables us to hear more from people using true Kiwi ingenuity in innovation, waste minimisation or community improvement projects.

"Innovation is at the heart of our business, and it's also the heart of our nation which truly embraces number eight wire mentality in all aspects of life," he says.

"And it's about celebrating people making small changes with big impact. It could be as simple as building a worm farm at home or a larger community campaign to recycle and repurpose inorganic waste from the neighbourhood."

Katie says winning this grant would help significantly, as the group relies on the kindness of the community to continue operating.

"It needs to be acknowledged that Joe and Jo-Anne La Grouw, of Lockwood Fame, supply the building that the Kiwi Coffin Club uses for their good works free of charge.

"Having entered in the Power of Positive Energy Project, we have been given the opportunity to showcase our group and to laud the volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference in our community of Rotorua. We thank the sponsors and keep our fingers crossed that we will be among the winners."

Entries close at 11.59pm today and winners will be notified by phone or email on June 30. We wish Katie and all the other entrants the best of luck.