It's The Factory's first birthday and Mangawhai gets the presents!

 

BY JULIA WADE

An invitation has been extended to the people of Mangawhai and surrounding areas to attend a special birthday celebration of a favourite organisation, where the community actually receives the gifts. 

Mangawhai’s Factory, the opportunity shop that recycles funds back to the community, will soon celebrate its first birthday with a Gala on October 13, with Kaipara’s mayor Dr. Jason Smith making an appearance to announce the 20 selected recipients of the Factory’s second round of grants. 

Roger Hill, chair of Mangawhai Community Opportunity Shop Trust (the locally operated charitable trust that oversees The Factory) says that after just one year of trading, and on the back of tremendous community support, it will have provided over $100,000 of community grants to 25 Mangawhai organisations.

“The Gala marks a very special day for all of Mangawhai and demonstrates what an extraordinary community we are,” he says. “The people of Mangawhai have recognised that The Factory is the ultimate in recycling, turning preloved products into dollars that generate independent and sustainable community benefits, for locals and visitors to enjoy.”

The mayor will also be presenting grant certificates to recipients of the Factory’s first round of funding. Projects of successful organisations must meet certain criteria to be considered for the grants including providing infrastructure and community support as well as the essential element of having long term sustainability. 

"We look forward to all our friends in Mangawhai dropping by to help us make it a very special day," Hill says. “Together we are creating the future Mangawhai.”

 The Factory’s 1st Birthday Gala, live music, sausage sizzle, face painting and surprises galore. Mayor Dr Jason Smith will be presenting grant certificates at 1pm. Be at The Factory, 5 Wood Street, October 13 from 12 noon. 


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Chair of the Factory’s Trust, Roger Hill; Mangawhai Activity Zone and Mangawhai’s Voluntary Fire Brigade were first time receivers of the Factory’s funding. Which lucky organisations will be revealed on October 13 for the second round? 
 
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Cory Vercoe, Nakeyta Barnes, Tarrin Rous; Three Mangawhai teens who gained essential life-skills and an encouraging boost from a recent Blue Light adventure camp, made possible by funds from the Factory’s first round of grants. 

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