Warming up the community

More than 4000 packs ÿ lled with warm clothes will go out to Bay of Plenty children that need them to stay cosy this winter.

Teaming up with Stoney Creek and Our Backyard Trust, Curate Church will give out 4500 packs with polar ° eece clothing – including an overshirt, pants and a beanie for ‘Kids Winter Warm Up’ this Saturday, May 20.

Curate Church’s Hayden Reid says they’ve also been working with schools and community organisations to make sure the clothing is going to the right kids in need.

“Unfortunately in this climate there’s an even greater need for children who are living close to the poverty line that really need warm clothing at this time of year,” says Hayden. “We just really want to be about getting on the ground and see how we can continue to support the community so this is just a small way that we can do that.”

Community connection

As a biennial event, Curate Church last helped out with this initiative in 2021. ˛ is year Hayden wants the Winter Warm Up to create more opportunity for people to connect in the community.

“Hopefully, there’s more of those organic conversations happening at a level to be able to ÿ nd out people’s stories and whether there’s any further needs or things that are required within the community as well. So it’s not actually just about the clothes themselves, it’s actually about the kids being encouraged.”

At the pick-up event this Saturday, May 20, for nominated kids and wh˝nau, there will also be a Winter Warm Up Party with bouncy castles, sausage sizzles, face painting, music and more.

“We basically just provide an opportunity for [kids and families] to come and have some fun, and know that we want to encourage them and that there’s someone who cares about them.”

To sponsor a Kid’s Winter Warm Up pack, visit: curatechurch. com/winterwarmup

Chris Coppen was a larger-than-life person, a joyful and strong presence in his family, and the family BBQ legend. He was a loving husband, a caring father to his three daughters, and an irreplaceable grandad to nine grandchildren. However, this year, family gatherings will be noticeably empty without him, as he passed away due to aggressive systemic mastocytosis with associated hematologic neoplasm. His loss is being felt by many, but most strongly by his family.

Becky Gardiner, Chris's daughter, and Director of Human Resources at Waipuna Hospice reflects on her family's personal experience and the support they received from Waipuna Hospice during a time of utter heartbreak. She recalls the beginning of their journey, saying, "Everything began to fall apart when we found out that dad, after having his second bone marrow biopsy, was diagnosed with ASMAHM. It was very scary because we were dealing with something that specialists had very little direct experience with."

Becky also recalls the family's hope when

Chris’ doctor sought access to an Americanfunded drug, saying, "We knew his condition was life-limiting, and he was unlikely to be around for ten or fifteen years, but we thought if we can get five or six years, that would be great." Unfortunately, her father's body did not tolerate the drug.

Despite the difficult times, Chris remained positive and continued to look after his family until the very end. Becky remembered how he wanted to make sure everything was organized for his funeral, saying, "That was his way of saying – I will take care of it, so my girls don’t need to do it. So, he went through, and he told us exactly what he wasted."

After getting Chris's diagnosis, the family sought end-of-life care and received wraparound support from Waipuna Hospice. "Waipuna Hospice enabled us to have Dad at home in his final days, which was amazing as that’s where he wanted to be," said Becky. "They provided equipment, nurses would visit, and when Dad deteriorated, these became daily visits. They taught us how to showerDad,andhowtousethesyringedrivers (ormedicationpumps)andwere availableonthephone."

Robin,Chris'swife,alsopraisedthehospice's services,saying,"Theydidnottakeover,they werejustthere,answeringallourquestions. Theyweresympatheticwithoutbeing overbearing."Theeducationprovidedbythe hospicewasabigcomponentoftheircare, asit helped calmtheirnervesandgavethemthe confidencetosupportChrisathome.

Intheend,hospicecaremadeahugedifference toChris'squalityoflifeandthesupporthis familyreceived."Iwasoverwhelmedathow wonderfulthesupportwas.Ioftenfoundmyself thinking–gosh,thesepeoplearetruly amazing,"saysBecky.

Pleasehelpusbetheretohelppeople likeChris,andfamiliesliketheCoppens nowandinthefuturebydonatingto WaipunaHospicethisHospice AwarenessWeek.

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