Salvation Army warming up winter for vulnerable

Salvation Army Midland Region staff in Hamilton, Raewyn Gardner, Divisional Leader, (left) and Cairine Barton, practice co-ordinator with (front) public relations co-ordinator Kay Worth with some of the Warm up Winter hot water bottle covers.

The Salvation Army hopes the Warming up Winter campaign will offer some comfort to the thousands of Kiwis who are struggling to make ends meet this winter.

But even 1000 hot water bottles will make only a small dent in meeting the needs of vulnerable families.

Nationally, the Salvation Army was helping 17,000 families across New Zealand over Christmas and the Hamilton Foodbank is now experiencing a 98 per cent increase in people needing help, compared with the same time last year.

Kay Worth of the Sallies Midland Region HQ in Hamilton says people are facing the same issues of rising living costs and unemployment. But now there are more "working poor" - people who have jobs but struggle to make ends meet.

"An unexpected parking ticket or doctor's bill can be enough to start a landslide of money problems," says Kay.

The Salvation Army's Positive Lifestyles Programme aims to address many of these problems.

"It aims to help people stand on their own feet, giving them the skills and confidence to believe in themselves and see other options."

The programme is part of the community ministry the Sallies operate in the region and the Warming up Winter project is part of the overall fundraising efforts for that ministry.

The Salvation Army is out to put the heat on winter chills and make the season a little more cosy for some of the vulnerable Kiwi families who lack adequate home heating.

If you know how to knit, crochet or sew and have a little spare time you can join the Sallies' Warming up Winter campaign which aims to create hundreds of hot water bottles in cheerful bright hand-made covers.

Some will be given to families in need and some sold at markets or online with all money raised going back into the Salvation Army ministry.

Warming up Winter is the brainchild of Kay Worth, the Salvation Army's Midland Region PR co-ordinator. The idea has been warmly embraced by supporters and staff with more than 200 covers already building up in boxes at the regional headquarters in Hamilton.

The aim is to have at least 1000 before launching sales. Sale prices are expected to range from $10 to $30.

"A kind donor, who wants to remain anonymous for now, has provided new hot water bottles for the campaign and there is a growing pile of wool, polar fleece and blankets with which to design and make covers," says Kay

That's where you can come in with your knitting or sewing skills. Kay says that while there is a range of patterns available, people should feel free to tap into their creative streak to produce a funky masterpiece.

So far there are covers with kiwis, silver ferns and other kiwiana, plus teddy bears, cats, story-book characters and even a monster or two.

Kay says the hot water bottle cover idea came to her one day when she was sitting on her porch thinking of new fundraising opportunities.

"Not all of us have the luxury of a warm home or cosy bed," she says.

"People are struggling to pay power bills and heating bills. Some do not have a wood burner or a heat pump, but most are able to boil the jug to fill a hot water bottle."

She says it is a small thing but can make a notable difference and a hot water bottle in a cosy cover can be enjoyed by anyone from kids to the elderly.

"Even for a baby, a hot water bottle is great to warm up a cot or bassinet before putting in baby." Take the hot water bottle out first!

If you think you can help Kay would love to hear from you. If there is enough interest she is also keen to hold classes to teach basic knitting and sewing skills if volunteers step up.

When there are enough hot water bottles and covers to start selling, Kay aims to offer them at some of the regular markets around the region. They would love to have an online outlet too if a suitable sponsor puts their hand up to help.

Contact Kay if you want to offer your help or if you would like to go on a mailing list when sales are launched. Contact: Kay-Worth@nzf.salvationarmy.org Phone: 07-8392242.