As the seasons change and temperatures start to drop, police are working with Auckland charity Give a Kid a Blanket to help offer comfort and warmth to wh¨¡nau in need this winter.
The charity collects blankets, winter warmers and vital supplies that are distributed through health workers to children and their families, and T¨¡maki Makaurau Police regularly use them to help those who need it.
¡°Give a Kid a Blanket (GaKaB) is an incredible NGO that the Waitemat¨¡ Family Harm Intervention Team (FHIT) rely on heavily and daily,¡± says Inspector Stefan McIntyre of Ng¨¡ti Awa, Ng¨¡i T¨±hoe, Director - Wh¨¡ngaia Ng¨¡ P¨¡ Harakeke.
¡°Nothing is ever too much to ask. Staff will contact [charity co-founder] Bernie and his team in the morning to request goods for victims and wh¨¡nau in need, and by the middle of the day the packages are ready to pick up.¡±
These goods can be anything from blankets, clothes and shoes to school supplies and food parcels.
¡°Give a Kid a Blanket never refuse a request and will even come in on the weekend to assist if called up by the family harm team,¡± says Stefan.
¡°The quality of the goods they provide is excellent, and they are always tailored to the specific needs of the tamariki, rangatahi and wh¨¡nau.
¡°We would be lost without the amazing contribution GaKaB make to our local community.¡±
GaKaB was started as a ¡°community activated art action¡± in 2015 by artists Donna Turtle Sarten and Bernie Harfleet, built on the belief that no child should go to bed cold. It became a registered charity in 2019.
Throughout winter Bernie says, they work Auckland-wide, responding to requests from several social agencies who are seeking bedding and other resources on behalf of their clients.
¡°Each winter these requests increase, and we expect this winter to be no exception,¡± he says.
¡°We want those receiving items from us not only to feel warmth and comfort, but importantly to feel valued by the community. To this end we ask that all pre-loved donated items are in excellent condition. We also welcome new and handmade items.¡±
GaKaB¡¯s winter campaign launches on 28 May and runs until late July. You can find out more, including a list of donation drop-off points, on the and .