NZAF volunteers shake buckets, pack condoms and help out at events like the Big Gay Out. The Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae will acknowledge the work of New Zealand AIDS Foundation Volunteers at an event in Wellington tonight. Two NZAF volunteers will represent those who contribute their time to the HIV prevention and health service work at a ceremony at Government House in recognition of National Volunteer Week. NZAF Executive Director Shaun Robinson says it’s a wonderful opportunity to recognise the enormous amount of time, energy and passion that non-paid staff contribute to the NZAF each year. “The NZAF is a stronger organisation thanks to the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers around the country. Each person who gives their time is effectively contributing to the NZAF’s visions of a world without HIV and we are so thankful for their commitment to helping us achieve this,” Robinson says. The NZAF has many opportunities for volunteers to be involved - each week its Community Engagement teams in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch run volunteer condom packing evenings. “In 2012 our volunteers helped pack 550,000 condom and lube packs which were all given away as part of Get it On!’s Love Your Condom Campaign,” Robinson says. “That’s an astronomical figure and we would not have achieved this if it wasn’t for the hard work and personal commitment of our volunteers – they really are making a direct contribution to reducing the rates of HIV infection in New Zealand.” The NZAF’s community engagement team also has a volunteer Champion programme for both Get it On! and Love Cover Protect, the latter targeting the New Zealand-based African communities. Robinson explains that the public’s support is crucial to the on-going success of events such as the Get it On! Big Gay Out, World AIDS Day and many other NZAF campaigns that run throughout the year. “To all those who continue to support us, your time is so appreciated and acknowledging it this week is just a small way we can publicly say 'thank you'.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 20th June 2013 - 9:32am