Flood waters cause wave of generosity

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BY JULIA WADE

 

13 Feb, 2023

 

Since northern flood waters receded leaving a muddy trail of chaos, loss and tragically death in its wake, a new flood of sorts was unleashed in Mangawhai, a wave of kindness and compassion as locals gave generously to those whose homes were swept away in the Auckland deluge.

 

A convoy of four packed cars and a horse float brimming with essential household items and clothing left Mangawhai on February 4, heading to a South Auckland collection site where the much-needed goods were gifted on to those who have lost their homes and possessions.

Facilitator of the charity run, local resident and St Mary’s Church member Jan Sosinko, says visiting the Mangere Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Leisure Centre was an eye-opening and humbling experience.

“They actually gave us a tour as the volunteers said they really appreciated what we’ve done and wanted to show us the whole system and how it worked. It was so interesting and very well organised with a triage-like system where people’s situations were assessed to see how they can best be served, as well as Covid screening,” she says.

“By Friday, they had given out 9500 care boxes, with food, sanitary items, nappies etc. You look at all these people queued up to be assessed and while they didn’t actually look distressed, they’ve all been traumatised by this event, they’ve lost everything.”

Along with Auckland City Council representatives advising on emergency housing, the centre had a medical section, a place with pet items and a small cafe serving tea and coffee.

“The centre’s organiser, Alf, said they realised when people are traumatised they need to be able to sit down and talk to somebody with a hot drink, to be listened to, it’s a comfort thing.”

Although bedding was in high demand, ‘the linen table was bare when we got there’, the Mangawhai crew had to bring home a large amount of clothing due to the centre being overwhelmed with piles of donated items especially female fashion, with volunteers quipping ‘it was a reflection of women’s shopping habits.’

“So, we’re left with some very nice quality boys, girls and women’s clothing to pass on, we’ve already given infant items to Family Life International, an organisation who look after mums and babies.”

Instigated and organised by Wellsford St Mary’s Catholic Church parish members, which has communities in Mangawhai and Maungaturoto, the Mangawhai donations began after Jan put a single post on local social media asking people if they would like to gift items to the Auckland flood victims. What followed was a tidal wave of generosity as her home, serving as a drop-off point, became filled with blankets, bedding, towels, clothing and home products. Volunteers and staff of Mangawhai Opportunity Shop, ‘The Factory’, also gathered and prepared clothing, shoes and linen packages which joined the convoy.

“When I saw the extent of the damage especially to the Pacifica Island and Maori people in South Auckland who have been left with nothing and with some not insured, I thought what can we do that is practical,” she says. “All it took was one post on the local Facebook page and there was an astonishing amount of goods given to us, more than enough to fill a horse float donated generously by Mangawhai Hire, plus two other large vehicles, and we still have people willing to donate things.”

For locals who missed the Facebook post but would like to donate, Jan says there probably will be opportunity to do so in a few months.

“This crisis isn’t going away soon, we have Alf’s number and I think closer to winter we’ll do another call out for bedding and other items, so watch this space,” she says. “How wonderful Mangawhai is… with the power of social media, it’s amazing how a small community, in only two days, can fill a horse float of donations, it’s quite astonishing and a real tribute to the community spirit.”

 

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“All it took was one post on the local Facebook page and there was an astonishing amount of goods given to us.”

- Jan Sosinko

 

From Mangawhai to flood-stricken communities in South Auckland, donated goods reach Mangere’s collection centre where organiser Alf [far left] and a hi-viz volunteer help unload a horse float packed with linen and clothing. St Mary’s Church members are [from left] Kathleen Brockliss, Jan Sosinko, John Brockliss, and Christine Thomson. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

 

 

Long-time local and co-instigator of the Mangawhai donation collection, John Brockliss, with the fully loaded horse float. PHOTO/JULIA WADE

 

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