Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Generous Kiwis give free haircuts and personal care
The other night I was talking with my dad about the people in his community who rally around to help people struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis and how incredible it is that so many Kiwis give their time, their money, and their skills to try and improve strangers’ lives. To reinforce that even further this story is about a truly fantastic initiative that started in Invercargill ten years ago and has since spread to other towns and centres in the South Island.
“Ten years ago, Melissa Aitken was watching a video on social media about a man in New York offering free haircuts to the local homeless population. Realising how much of a confidence boost could come from a simple act of kindness, Aitken decided to bring the same initiative to her own community. Within days, Aitken had rallied her community to offer free haircuts, massages and brow shaping to people in Invercargill. Since then, the events have expanded to Invercargill and Dunedin, now offering services including eye tests, grocery packages, massages and eyebrow waxing, Aitken said. For the first time this year, the event will also be held in Christchurch this August.
“‘We don’t make any money from it. It’s just good-hearted Kiwis coming on board, giving their time on the day, whether they’re a helper or whether they’re a service provider,” she said. ‘The fire department comes on board to take names and numbers for people that may not have smoke alarms installed in their homes, then they go in the weeks after my event to these people’s homes and install them for them. Staples for my event are the hairdressers and barbers, manicurist, massage therapist and brow shapers – then anything’s a blessing and a bonus on top of that.’” (Source: “Free haircuts and care day expands from Invercargill and Dunedin to Christchurch,” by Jazlyn Whales, April 22, www.nzherald.co.nz).
5 stars – all over this country there is an abundance of kind hearted Kiwis. It’s important to remember just how blessed we are. Total upside!
Giving hope to discarded dogs
Easing the pressure on other shelters in Auckland, a facility was opened in Pukekohe recently to house and prepare discarded dogs for new homes. It is shocking that Auckland Council’s other shelters are almost always at capacity and this new facility will be a welcome addition to ensure safe new homes for discarded pups.
“The Pukekohe Adoption and Education Centrecentre takes in unclaimed dogs from the council’s three animal shelters, to train and prepare them for forever homes. Senior shelter operations Kayleigh Hatcher said since they opened for adoptions in January, they’ve successfully rehomed 12 dogs. The centre officially opened on 15 March.
“‘We have a seven-day claim at the other shelters, if no one claims them, they become council property,’ she said. ‘They are temperament tested, and if they are suitable, they come through to us for training and adoption.’ The Pukekohe centre currently has 27 dogs, and could take up to 40, Hatcher said.'” (Source: “Pukekohe adoption centre offers hope to forgotten dogs,” by Torika Tokolau, March 27, www.rnz.co.nz).
5 stars – a vey necessary facility for a city that struggles with roaming and abandoned dogs.
Titanic artefact sold for huge sum
Proving that the allure and mystery of the RMS Titanic shows no sign of waning over a century since she sank, a survivor’s life jacket was recently auctioned in the UK, selling at £670,000. The first life jacket to ever come up for auction created huge interest amongst bidders and Titanic aficionados.
“The jacket, which was expected to fetch between £250,000 (US$339,000) and £350,000 (US$474,000), is the only one from a survivor of the 1912 tragedy to go under the hammer, according to UK auction house Henry Aldridge and Son. The garment was worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first class passenger on the historic liner, which sank 114 years ago.
“Andrew Aldridge, managing director at the auction house, said it is ‘one of the most iconic’ items ever to come up for sale from the ill-fated ship. ‘Quite simply this lifejacket presents a once in a generation opportunity for collectors, it’s the only example to ever be offered for auction from a Titanic survivor,’ he said.” (Source: “Titanic survivor’s life jacket sells for over $900,000 in landmark auction,” by Lianne Kolirin, April 20, www.edition.cnn.com).
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