A fundraising drive that has provided more than $100k over the past decade, turns the key for another year this week.
The Car Company drive for Women’s Refuge will see $50 from every car sold during the month of March donated to the non-profit organisation, who provide support and advocacy to women and children affected by domestic violence in the Nelson Tasman region.
Women’s Refuge manager Diane Strong says the money has allowed them to buy and do things fro local whanau that they may not have been able to do otherwise.
Funded by government and philanthropic donations, the refuge also relies on private donations.
The money from the Car Company drive has previously been spent on, vehicle support, nights for women in safe accommodation, supporting and growing people’s understanding of their cause through marketing strategies.
“It helps us with food packs, clothing we need; just the basics,” Diane says.
Over the years they have also used the money from the Car Company Drive for learning resources and technology to help tamariki during Covid.
“Funded money is set and earmarked for specific things, so money from the Car Company allows us to pick and choose where the need is most.”
Car Company general manager Ben Brownie says the drive not only provides funds from cars sold, but raises awareness for the organization.
“They absolutely love it, and from the public side of it, Covid put a stop to a lot of street collections, so it’s about raising awareness for donations as well,” he says.
“We’re keen to stay on board with them.”
The funding drive will run till the end of March, with $50 from every car sold across all the Car Company sites going directly to the refuge.
