Most of us take sleeping in a warm bed for granted. Sadly, that’s not the case for everyone. The registered charity Give a Kid a Blanket (GaKaB) is doing something about it and last winter alone, over 4,000 Westies slept warmer and sounder thanks to the charity.
GaKaB was founded in 2015 by West Auckland artists Bernie Harfleet and Turtle Sarten. GaKaB works closely with community service agencies, including the police, Te Whatu Ora, West Auckland Plunket, Oranga Tamariki, Family Action, and many more. These organisations request resources on behalf of their clients.
However, GaKaB is about much more than just bedding. The charity also distributes clothing, Moses baskets and cots, plus much more. In addition, a potluck community kai is held every month in Rānui, and the organisation also supports Feed the Homeless Auckland.
According to Bernie, the demand for GaKaB’s services has grown every year. Events like the Auckland floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, and now the cost-of-living crisis have also increased the need in the community.
‘The bedding we provide is fundamental for good health and a comfortable, restful night’s sleep. While this should be a basic human right, it’s an unattainable luxury for many in our community,’ advises Bernie. He says poor sleep has knock-on effects on school and work attendance and performance, family relationships, and overall health and wellbeing.
As a registered charity, GaKaB relies on donations and funders. However, the demand for its resources continues to grow, and money is harder than ever to come by. ‘Donations of cash and pre-loved bedding items are down on previous years,’ says Bernie. He puts this down to inflation, putting pressure on disposable incomes.
However, funding of $20,000 from the 2024 Your West Support Fund arrived at just the right time. The charity was able to stock up on essential bedding items, including duvet covers, inners, pillows, and pillowcases. ‘The contribution was massive,’ declares Bernie. ‘If we didn’t have that support, we would have struggled to meet the demand,’ he adds.
GaKaB recently launched its Christmas campaign, Operation Kindness. Now in its sixth year, Operation Kindness is all about sharing the festive spirit with families needing some community aroha. ‘We provide gifts for all family members along with a kai hamper and support package of toiletries and cleaning products,’ says Bernie.
The police, Family Action, and community health staff nominate families, and Operation Kindness helps ensure they enjoy a Christmas to remember.
The charity is looking for sponsors, donations and offers of help. Bernie and the team would love to hear from you if you have new or pre-loved bedding items to donate in excellent condition. You can also sponsor a family or an individual as part of Operation Kindness.
Check out GaKaB’s Facebook page for all the latest information and join the community of kindness this Christmas.
