MVP awards to celebrate community service

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MVP awards to celebrate community service

 

BY JULIA WADE

 

30 Jan, 2023

 

Volunteers and community-minded people who generously give their energy and time to benefit Mangwhai society could find themselves the recipients of a special gift.

 

Just launched is a new initiative which allows locals to express their appreciation and gratitude to the folk who bring a touch of extra magic to those around them.

The Most Valuable Player [MVP] monthly award is the brainchild of Barfoot & Thompson Mangawhai real estate agent, Aidan Salmon, along with co-sponsor Karina Williams, owner of The Gift Loft, a local online gift company. The pair say they just wanted to give something back to the people who make Mangawhai magical.

“We wanted to give back and recognise all the good things that go into making Mangawhai the awesome place it is to live,” he says. “People don't always get recognised and they probably don't mind that, but it’s a good thing to be able to say thanks.”

Every month the community can nominate a person or group who they feel make Mangawhai that bit more special, and the winner will receive a beautiful gift basket from The Gift Loft. Products may range from specialty teas and nibbles to luxury bathroom items and homemade candles.

“Nominations can range from anything like great customer service, right through to someone who gives their time to a local cause,” says Aidan.

Launching in November 2022, MVPs first recipient was Mangawhai Beach School Board of Trustees member Abby Meagher for her tireless service to the school and children in the community through multiple activities and volunteering efforts. Mangawhai Activity Zone [MAZ] committee member Daniel Hawes received the December award for his commitment to MAZ and the local skating community.

The first winners for 2023, are the dedicated and brave volunteers at Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade [MVFB] Karina says.

“In January, we received countless nominations for the volunteer fire service, which is very cool. Nominees are anonymous, it could be from people who they’ve helped or someone like a friend or family member who recognises all the hard work the volunteers do.”

On average, volunteers dedicate five hours over a week to the fire service with weekly training sessions and, if available, drop everything to respond, leaving workplaces and events to answer the call of the fire alarm which also involves attending medical emergencies.

MVFB volunteers Matt Williams and Tori Levet, who have been in the service for five years and two-and-a-half years respectively, accepted the gift box on behalf of the firefighting squad, saying they were grateful for the recognition and the high number of community nominations, which was ‘quite a nice feeling’.

“We do this in our spare time because we enjoy it,” Tori says. “It doesn’t actually seem too much to us but for people in need, the service can be huge.”

From the number of nominations, MVFB is obviously highly regarded in the community which Karina says is a really good thing for people to acknowledge.

“Often services can be overlooked for community awards, thinking they are just a service, so if they are nominated, they’re obviously recognising the dedication and time involved.”

The call is now out for the community to nominate February’s MVP award and locals can email Aidan with their votes.

“Anyone can nominate at any time and we store nominations in case there is a trend that builds up over time,” he says. “If the MVP awards gain traction, it may also inspire others to participate and give back, but regardless, it's great to recognise those that give their time to the community.”

n Notice someone bringing some magic to Mangawhai? For February’s nominations, send to a.salmon@barfoot.co.nz

 

 

 

Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade, January winners of the recently launched MVP award. From left, firefighter Matt Williams, with the gift box is his sister Karina Williams who is MVP co-sponsor and owner of The Gift Loft, firefighter Tori Levet and Barfoot & Thompson real estate agent, Aidan Salmon, founder of the MVP award. PHOTO/JULIA WADE

 

 

“We wanted to give back and recognise all the good things that go into making Mangawhai the awesome place it is to live.”

- Aidan Salmon

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