May 2025 update
Kia Ora & Welcome,
Despite the lamentable lack of newsletters, we have been beavering away in the background. A February ‘planning’ meeting, facilitated by ‘in-house’ expert, Emma Matthews, had us corralled into groups and tasked with inspecting every aspect of the work and function of the Jassy Dean Trust. This included marketing, application criteria and process, fundraising, finances, volunteer and mailing lists…etc. A time-consuming and challenging exercise, but the goal is an overdue TOTAL REFRESH.
One significant initial decision has been to engage Jo Ewer as our new, official communications co-ordinator. Jo’s appointment will, amongst other things, plug several gaps and we are absolutely delighted to welcome her ‘on board’. Expect to see a vastly improved social media and news presence! Jo was the 2024 Garden Festival Co-ordinator and many of you have experienced, firsthand, her superb organisational skills. She can be contacted at info@jassydeantrust.org.
We’ve been fielding numerous enquiries regarding the next Garden Festival. This event involves months of commitment and organisation and in the interests of sanity, both gardeners and the sub-committee, it is now a bi-annual event with the next festival planned for November 2026. Meanwhile, the health needs of Waiheke’s children don’t disappear, and we anticipate spending anything up to $100,000.00 during 2025. Fundraising needs to continue, and we are planning two or three smaller events over the next twelve months. Please circle Sunday, November 9th, on your calendar, when we will continue our celebration of gardens with a massive PLANT SALE and lots of added extras. It will be a fun day, we will be calling on lots of volunteer help…please keep it free.
In terms of applications, we’ve had a relatively quiet start to 2025. With a few exceptions, the youngsters of Waiheke seem to have mostly enjoyed a healthy, accident-free summer.…lovely to think it might continue, but experience suggests that’s unlikely. We have continued to support individual applications involving specialist appointments, equipment and treatment not funded by the Health Department and transport to the city for families with children in hospital.
During the first school semester, we provided ongoing funding for the Raukatauri Music Programme, where music therapist Sam Scott works with a group of youngsters from the Island’s primary schools. We have continued funding educational psychologist Jaz Murphy in her work, also at Te Huruhi School, helping a small group of children, identified by both teachers and parents, build personal strategies for resilience and self-management. Both programmes report that pupils are making significant progress.
A further grant has been made to the Waiheke Health Trust. This grant ensures all local children are eligible for free X-rays. Last year, we contributed to the new ultrasound machine…applications for financial assistance for ultrasound can be made to the Trust for all children under the age of 18.
We have some big thank-yous.
Fullers360 has been a major sponsor of the Jassy Dean Trust for 35 years. Along with Sealink, they provide us with a significant number of ferry passes for children and parents to attend medical appointments in the city. The contribution of both companies makes a considerable difference to the help we can give. Thank you!
Congratulations to Central Landscape Supplies, who recently celebrated in ‘gala style’ 20 years in business on the Island. This is another company that has always generously supported our work. On this occasion, they helped the fabulous and indefatigable Ngaio Lewis transport a trailer of plants to the venue where she sold some hundreds of $$$$$$$ worth…with all proceeds coming to the trust. We so appreciate the support of local companies like Central Landscape Supplies, who so generously put back into our community.
We would be lost without the help Ngaio Lewis who contributes countless hours raising plants and money for us. Thank you, Ngaio! Don’t forget the Jassy Dean Plant Nursery is open by appointment in Ngaio’s stunning garden at 403 Seaview Road, Onetangi, where she specialises in plants particularly suited to Waiheke growing conditions.
Thank you also to Kim Whitaker – Over the summer, Kim has been selling his delightful linocuts of native birds at the Saturday market. At his suggestion, we grabbed a corner of his stall, and now Greg Dean (Jassy’s Dad and JDT Chair) can be found holding court and selling ‘Food from Jassy’s Gardens’ most Saturday mornings. A wonderful opportunity to hear ‘our story’ and buy great Island gifts – a local book or bird – what could be better.
Finally, a huge ‘shout out’ to 9-year-old Logan Pope. Logan is an enthusiastic young artist who sells prints of his work on Facebook! Logan donates a portion of each sale to the Jassy Dean Trust to give back for the support he and his whanau have received over the years.
Big thanks to you Logan – we love your generous spirit and your amazing art!
Be sure to check out Logan’s work at www.facebook.com/loganpopeartist and support a young artist who is giving back.
How can you help us
Mailing lists - If you find you are receiving multiple newsletters, please unsubscribe to one of them.
Volunteers - If you know someone who might be interested, please encourage them to get in touch.
Everyone – If you have new neighbours or know new families on the Island – please let them know what we do and direct them to our website https://jassydeantrust.org.
Applications are confidential and easy to make. Help is available for the health needs of all local children under the age of 18.
Donations are hugely welcome at any time – contact Jassy Dean Trust Givealittle page at https://givealittle.co.nz/org/jassydean.
Until next time
Nga Mihi
from
The Jassy Dean Trust.
