In a heart-warming display of community spirit, the residents of a local retirement village have come together to raise more than $14,000 in just one month for Hato Hone St John.

Engaging in a diverse array of entertaining activities, from a delightful coin trail to a bowls tournament, the retirees of Ocean Shores in Papamoa have proven there is no barrier to making a significant impact.

Their fundraising efforts through August also featured auctions, a raffle and a memorable dinner, demonstrating that compassion knows no age limit.

“We had a target,” says Ocean Shores St John Fundraising Committee chair Neville Hall. “Last year we raised more than $11,000 so we decided to beat it.”

This year’s total of $14,389 combined with last year’s efforts means $25,000 has been raised in the two years.

“The last two years it’s been decided by the village to raise the funds for St John which provides a very good service to the village, and that donations made would benefit this area of Mount Maunganui and Tauranga - this neck of the woods.”

The village’s entertainment committee usually organises a monthly dinner, a happy hour every Friday with raffles and spot prizes, and an annual cake stall, along with specific entertainers performing during the year, such as Tauranga Big Band and solo artists.

“Our aim is to ensure that as many villagers that have the ability to, can come to the events and get out of their houses.”

Ocean Shores coin trail. Photo: Supplied.

For the unique fundraiser, the entertainment committee created a special St John Ocean Shores Fundraising Committee, focusing on the month of August.

“We held a major auction that was run by Frank Vosper, with 93 lots ranging from gift vouchers to Korean sake, and original oil paintings donated from residents who had in some cases painted them themselves.”

A coin trail started at the beginning of the fundraising month grew with residents putting down $1 and $2 coins on a table until a circular trail was completed. There were also silent auctions which residents contributed items to.

“Residents can donate directly to the St John Account and at that time request a tax receipt if required. The largest single donation was $1000,” says Neville.

“Raffles were held every week and there was a major raffle of gift food baskets and a scratchie tree which had $100 of scratchies as the prize.”

The Ocean Shores scratchie tree. Photo: Supplied.

With support from the village management, as well as donations from the residents’ various committees, Neville says residents provided estate furniture and appliances to sell, which also increased the revenue.

Local businesses such as Fresh Choice Papamoa and Pak n Save Plaza, joined with the Omanu Golf Club in providing gift vouchers or produce which were raffled.

The fundraiser which ran for the whole month of August also included a bowls tournament which everyone paid money for, and a major dinner which Neville says the Ocean Shores management contributed to.

Hato Hone St John Tauranga

Steve Walker from Tauranga St John Area Committee says Neville is being modest about the significant efforts of the Ocean Shores village community.

“They raised $11,000 last year and in 2021, there was $10,500. That’s quite impressive,” says Steve who holds the fundraising portfolio for the St John Tauranga Area Committee.

Steve says the funds will be directed to the refurbishment of the St John Mount Ambulance Station on Girven Road.

“That’s going to cost between $70-100k to refurbish. Soon that station will be manned 18 hours a day, seven days a week. So that’s the primary area where these funds will go.”

One of Steve’s committee’s responsibilities is property custodianship, including looking after both the St John Hub on 17th Ave and the Station at Girven Road.

“Money will also be directed towards our community health initiatives which are the St John Health Shuttle, Caring Callers, Friends of the Emergency Department, and St John Youth among other things.

“It costs at least $20,000 a year to operate the two health shuttles in Tauranga.  All of that money has to be raised from within the community.”

The silent auction items. Photo: Supplied.

As well as property custodianship and community health initiatives, the third area the Area Committee takes care of is the welfare of St John Volunteers.

“We have a large number of volunteers and donations like this are directed to the their welfare.”

While that is a big call on money that’s raised, Steve says the health shuttle is also always looking for volunteers.   

“They need a current clean motor vehicle licence.”

Steve says Neville “deserves all the praise” for helping coordinate the fundraising efforts from Ocean Shores.

“St John is certainly very grateful. Ocean Shores need to be commended, they’ve put in the hard mahi. My role was to support their efforts by providing signage, collection buckets and some first aid kits which they raffled.

“Ocean Shores have done this for three years and I think they’ve done it a few years before that.”

Steve has been a volunteer driver with the St John Health Shuttle for over 10 years. He suggested the St John Major Incident Support Team (MIST) truck attend, led by Ollie, as well as St John volunteer health shuttle drivers Andrew Dunlop and Eraine Moore, to meet Neville Hall at Ocean Shores where a presentation of the funds raised was subsequently made.

The remarkable dedication of the Ocean Shores retirees not only showcases their commitment to a noble cause but also serves as a shining example of the power of unity and community involvement.