The New Zealand Branch of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has announced plans to raise $12,000 for St John’ Ambulance as a part of its community service projects.
A fully equipped Ambulance would cost about $160,000.
GOPIO’s Marketing, PR and Membership Co-Chairman Sunny Kaushal told a meeting held at Stamford Plaza Hotel on April 17 that the amount would be raised through a raffle scheme, the draw for which will be held in June 2011.
“Raffle tickets, priced at $5 each will be sold shortly. The prizes include a 50” Panasonic HD Plasma Television, I-Pad, a Mystery Weekend for Two, a Weekend for two persons with breakfast at a five-star hotel in Auckland and a dinner for four at an Indian Restaurant. All prizes have been donated by commercial establishments based in Auckland,” he said.
Mr Kaushal said that GOPIO was working on a number of other community projects including Youth and Parents Forum, Family Violence, Breast Cancer and the concerns of new migrants,
Donation to Quake Victims
Earlier at the meeting, National Secretary Shefali Mehta presented a cheque for $5350 to New Zealand Red Cross Area Councillor Alix Jansen.
She said the amount represented contributions of GOPIO Chapters in New Zealand for rebuilding Christchurch and meeting the needs of the victims of the Earthquake.
“In addition, our members also gave individual cash donations and provided direct assistance through the New Zealand Red Cross and other organisations. These donations included household items and home hospitality. GOPIO Waikato organised ‘All Faith Prayers’ in Hamilton,” she said.
President Rakesh Gupta, who was not present at the meeting, said in a statement that the National Executive Committee had approved the revised and amended National Constitution at a special meeting held on March 27.
GOPIO is a non-political, not-for-profit, worldwide organisation, committed to the cause of serving more than 22 million people of Indian origin.
