Caring and communities

The New Plymouth Central Women's Institute was formed in 2012. It is part of the NZ Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI), which celebrated its 100-year anniversary this year.
 
“I saw the need for a group in New Plymouth after moving from the country to the city. At the first meeting, the enthusiasm was so great that within two weeks, New Plymouth Central Women’s Institute was formed,” said Hazel Dodunski, former President.
 
“We work really hard to support the community wherever possible. Our activities include looking after the Daffodil day stalls for the Cancer Society, helping in the Oncology department as Baking Angels, knitting for the Neonatal Unit and Pregnancy Help, and making breast cushions for ladies recovering from mastectomies. Any fundraising events we have been involved with have resulted in funds being donated to local charities.” 
 
“Our ladies are mostly retired so finding the funds to attend Conferences is an annual challenge, with delegates’ expenses and member registrations ever increasing, not to mention the cost of transport and accommodation,” Hazel said.

Toi Foundation provided a grant of $600, which helped with the costs of members attending conferences in Napier and Wellington.
 
“Our sincere thanks go to the Toi Foundation. We have been able to send five members to the Centennial Conference in Napier in February, one of whom was on the organising Centennial Committee. We also sent five women to the National Conference and AGM in Wellington a few months later.”

“The support from Toi Foundation has helped our members to continue contributing to the community," Hazel said.

“We are a strong, community-based group. In the past two years with Covid-19, the group has been a fantastic bonding time for the women who may have had limited opportunities for social connection otherwise.”