Happy New Year from the Jassy Dean Trust!
What a wonderful summer. We hope it has been a restorative one for everybody. At Jassy Dean the year has begun with energy and enthusiasm. We have already held two Trust meetings!
Requests for funding from the Trust grow every year. We anticipate we will be asked to find in the vicinity of $100,000 over this coming one…with every cent to be invested in the health of our local children. It’s a huge amount for a small community to raise and with figures like that, clearly fundraising becomes a major, top of the pile, super important and central issue! Planning is well underway, and everyone will be delighted that once again the Jassy Dean Waiheke Garden Festival is back on the calendar and will be held over the weekend of 9 and 10 November, 2024.
But...we need help from you!
We need Gardens! We know, from past experience, that WOW factor gardens are dotted all over this island…hidden away in secret lanes and little coves…but we need help in finding them! We are looking for gardens that will delight and inspire our visitors and showcase the beauty of this fabulous island. They don’t have to be grand or immaculate, although of course we love those too. If you have either sort of garden and are generous enough to share…or know of one whose owners might be prepared to offer…please contact Jude Denny 021 0248 8377 or Sally Ewer 021 441 031. We know opening your garden during the Festival is a huge commitment in terms of both time and work, but the cause is fantastic and we are here, if needed, to hold your hand every step of the way.
Where does that money go?
Recent calculations show that in 2023 we distributed over $70,000 to around 100 families on Waiheke Island with children needing health care. These have included financial help for specialist appointments, equipment and treatments not funded by the Health Department. We have continued to support families with children in hospital and to back programmes that help kids through difficult emotional or physical times. On top of this we have delivered around 100 Fullers Ferry passes for children and parents to attend medical appointments in the city.
Here’s a huge shout out and thanks to Fullers 360 for the invaluable and generous help they give us!
Heading into 2024 - our first meeting of the year focussed on a number of individual requests for financial help with treatments or diagnosis. These included requests for psychological, naturopathic and osteopathic care.
We also committed $8000 funding for another two terms for the programme run at Te Huruhi School by educational psychologist Jaz Murphy. This programme involves children who have been identified by teachers and parents as in need of support to build personal strategies for resilience and self management. Jaz visits the school once a week and works individually and in groups with the children as required. We have supported this programme for the past two years and the school reports huge progress made by participating children. This term’s intake involves eight children with another four on the waiting list.
We have also agreed to support two further terms of the Raukatauri Music Programme. Registered music therapist Sam Scott spends Thursdays working at both Te Huruhi Primary School and Waiheke High School with a group of youngsters with special needs. Again, the reported progress of the students makes our $9000 plus contribution seem very worthwhile.
The Trust has also made a ‘one off’ donation to the Health Trust of $5000 towards the new Ultra Sound Machine they are about to install. This is a vital piece of equipment for the island which will save travel hours and physical and emotional distress for many. We anticipate it will be well utilised by Waiheke children and of course our assistance will expand in the future to helping those requesting financial support for this service. This is in addition to the support we already give children needing x-rays at the Waiheke Health Trust.
Food from Jassy's Gardens
This book was a big Christmas hit with well over two thirds selling in a couple of weeks…more than enough money ‘in’ to cover lots of 2024 ‘out’ commitments…PLUS! Thank you to all the businesses who supported us and to all of you who bought it. There are still some available so keep it in mind as the need for birthday presents or suitable gifts arise. The books are available online here and are still for sale at Paper Plus, True Blue and Island Grocer. A big thanks to all the stores who have sold the book and continue to sell the book for us, we are so very grateful.
For orders over 4 books additional shipping costs may apply, please contact us on info@jassydeantrust.org to arrange shipping.
We look forward to hearing from you about wonderful Waiheke gardens…and keeping you informed about plans afoot!
Until then, keep enjoying that sunshine!
Ngā mihi
Annie Porter & The Jassy Dean Trust.
