Good As Gold Santa Edition: Community Spirit
22 December 2016 / Published in Your CommunityASB Good as Gold is an ASB initiative recognising, rewarding and helping wonderful people in our community.
This Christmas, we asked our ASB team to nominate customers who dedicate themselves to their community, have a passion for life against all odds as well as those in times of hardship that deserve something golden in their lives.
The community is an extension of the family and something we know Kiwis value. In communities around the country there are individuals going out of their way to help those around them, asking nothing in return. We think they deserve some recognition this Christmas.
These are the stories showing community spirit that caught our attention.
Grace Van Der Brink
Grace is one of the most dedicated people we’ve met doing the ASB Good As Gold Santa Edition. As a Te Marama Hou Ministries Trust director, her service to Waiuku is immense.
She’s involved in everything. From helping provide for local children, families and schools, to upskilling adults and supporting community projects, Grace constantly goes above and beyond to serve, finding energy and satisfaction in the success of others.
One highlight is the community garden, a resource for families to learn the value of being able to grow their own food. On Wednesdays at lunchtime, Grace appears with her wheel barrow, gloves, spades, and plants - followed closely by a keen group of gardeners, all sizes and ages as part of a “Green Fingers” group she has helped create.
She provides before and after school care for children with parents at work, helps coordinate the local KIDS CAN support for the school, organises fundraising and even leads the walking school bus. When there is a need, Grace is first to put up her hand with a smile.
Grace is there for everyone and we wanted to be there for Grace this Christmas so we’ve given her a $3000 travel voucher, deposited $5000 into her ASB Account and provided $1000 for donation to a community charity. We hope she can take some fun time out with her family over the holidays and have the Christmas she deserves.
Nanette Nathoo
Nanette Nathoo has a heart of gold. Recently, she was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal as part of the 90th Queens Birthday Honours List, where she was recognized for her outstanding contribution to the Indian community.
Her involvement with the community has been impressive and includes being Vice President of the Auckland Indian Association (AIAI) from 2007 to 2015, the National Chairperson of the Law and Order Crime Prevention Committee of the New Zealand Indian Central Association since 2011, as well as serving as Assistant Secretary of the AIAI in the early 1990s.
As well as all this public service, Nanette is very involved in working with senior citizens, promoting Positive Aging. She has given so much and to recognize that this Christmas, we’ve given her $5000 worth of travel vouchers and $2000 spending money. She deserves to take a nice break after all the great work she’s done for everyone around her.
