Ray White offices partnered with Ronald McDonald House and community charities across New Zealand to deliver an inspiring Christmas campaign – to provide a little extra light for many this festive season.
A Little Ray of Giving is an annual program which this season saw over 300 Ray White offices raise more than 15,000 gifts for families in need across New Zealand and Australia. Now in its third year here in New Zealand, the 2014 Little Ray of Giving program saw a large number of Ray White New Zealand offices step up to support and put smiles on the faces of some very special children – by simply seeking donations of gifts from their local communities. The donations were then distributed by Ray White offices, and partnered charities, to either families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses across New Zealand or other deserving members in our community.
More than 3,000 gifts were collected by Ray White in New Zealand alone (up substantially on last year), and countless donations of food, vouchers and other items were also donated via the program. Ray White Dargaville sent away 150 presents to Ronald McDonald House but there was one gift that was extra special. When a member of the community brought in a big cuddly white teddy bear, the office affectionately named it “Mrs White”, the Teddy was then given to Ellie Weight, a special little girl from Dargaville who was staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Auckland. Ray White Lower Hutt also ran such a successful campaign, they lost count of how many presents were donated. The generosity of their local Wellington community saw the Ray White van filled with gifts a few times over. Office principal, Rupert Kemeys then dressed up as Santa to deliver the presents to the Wellington Hospital Children’s ward. – Watch their video of their Little Ray of Giving delivery here.
“Christmas is a special time of year shared with family, spending quality time with one another and enjoying the festivities. However, in an instant everything can change. This is the reality for many families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses across New Zealand. Families with a chronically ill child are often placed under immense emotional, physical and financial stress, especially at Christmas time – so, Christmas is one of the most special events on the calendar for Ronald McDonald Houses – as we aim to recreate the setting that families would have in their own home environment.” says Wayne Howett, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Auckland.
Ronald McDonald House, Auckland hosted a special celebration on 22 December for the 80 families currently staying at the house. One of these families (pictured above) included seven month old Jai along with his Mum Kate, Dad Daniel and siblings Blake and Vanessa who have been staying at the House for over 55 days now, and are a long way from their home in Hokitika. Their Christmas, along with around 40 other families was spent at Ronald McDonald House, Auckland this year.
Ray White have a long-standing commitment to Ronald McDonald House (RMH) who provide a home away from home for families from all over New Zealand when their children require specialist medical treatment in another city. Since 2007 Ray White New Zealand Offices have been involved by partnering with RMH to help keep families together, and this year have stepped up their support of the charity by offering individual salesperson support partnership initiatives in addition to the long established office partnership opportunities, and programs such as A Little Ray of Giving.
“Thanks to the support of Ray White and the community these families are still able to experience the joy of Christmas – no matter how far from home they are.” says Wayne Howett. “Thank you so much for bringing smiles to so many children and their families – we could not do this without your generous help!”
“We are extremely proud of our Ray White New Zealand Offices who have embraced the Little Ray of Giving program for another year – to help support Ronald McDonald House and those in their local communities. Christmas is about family. The thoughtfulness and generosity of our members and communities who have embraced the program is tremendous and has brought festive cheer to so many families right across New Zealand this year. Sometimes just a small gift can make the biggest difference to someone in need.” said Carey Smith, CEO of Ray White New Zealand “I’d like to thank all our members, and the public, for their support of this initiative.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNe67qmKirE