Funds from charity dinner to benefit Te Puke youth

Te Puke Rotary Club is thrilled to announce that the principal recipient of funds raised from their 16th Annual Charity Dinner and Auction will be the Te Puke Youth Employment Programme.

In December last year, Dale Williams spoke to a breakfast meeting of Te Puke business owners about the success of a similar programme he helped to instigate in Otorohanga as part of their Zero Youth Unemployment Initiative.

Dale's visit generated overwhelming support for a similar programme in our community.

The concept is to identify youth who are not academically inclined and give them access to the skills and support needed to build a strong work ethic.

Te Puke accountant Graeme Walker is conducting a study on youth employment in Te Puke and the funds donated from the Charity Dinner will help get the programme up and running.

Te Puke Rotary Club has a strong tradition of supporting Te Puke youth initiatives, with proceeds from last year's event donated to the Te Puke St John Youth Division for the purchase of computers for the education suite at their new premises on No 3 Road.

Rotary members are also excited to welcome Zespri International as principal sponsor of the 2014 Charity Dinner.

Zespri is proud to support the Te Puke community in establishing the Youth Employment Programme which they see as a valuable resource for encouraging our young people to recognise their own potential by getting involved themselves in the kiwifruit industry.

The Charity Dinner and Auction will be held on August 15 at the Te Puke War Memorial Hall, featuring guest speaker Sir Ray Avery and well known local entertainer Che Orton.

Tickets will go on sale next week and can be purchased from Gift-rapt on Jellicoe Street or by contacting Rosalie on 07-573-7963.