Thank you to everyone who donated their pre-loved curtains to help Kiwis in need this winter through our Red Cross Curtain Call campaign.
Over six-weeks we picked up over 620 parcels from over 370 generous donors. This saw us deliver over 1800 sets of curtains and over 150 single curtains to curtain banks – 3 times more than what we expected. That also works out to be about 4 tonnes of curtains that did not end up in landfills.
Our Red Cross Curtain Call campaign has now ended but if you still have curtains you’d like to donate, contact a curtain bank near you.
Did you know:
Curtains can reduce heat loss through single-glazed windows by up to 60%.
(Source: Energywise website
)
About Red Cross Curtain Banks
Red Cross Curtain Banks have helped thousands of Kiwis stay warm through the winter months by providing free lined curtains to low-income individuals and families.
Volunteers bring pre-loved curtains back to life and tailor them to fit the windows of recipients’ homes.
Red Cross Curtain Banks are in Whakatane, Tauranga, Gisborne, Palmerston North & Invercargill and rely on generous donations from the public to help those in need.
New Zealand Red Cross curtain banks rely on people who volunteer their time to adjust and sew the pre-loved curtains donated by members of the public.
Rukia Darweshi is a former refugee from Afghanistan now living in New Zealand. She lost her arm in a rocket attack when she was a child but that hasn't dimmed her passion for sewing. She came to New Zealand through the refugee quota programme and now volunteers with the New Zealand Red Cross Curtain Bank. Find out more about her story.
Did you know:
1 in 5 Kiwis feel their home is often or always cold.
(Source: Statistics NZ, Perceptions of housing quality in 2014/15.
Why NZ Post is involved
NZ Post has been supporting New Zealand Red Cross for more than 100 years, and today we work together to improve the lives of vulnerable Kiwis and help build resilient communities.
Through our people and our network we make it easy for people to give generously to Red Cross and to deliver help where it's needed most. We see it as another way we can help communities stay connected and strong.
Did you know
1600 Kiwi deaths every year are attributed to cold homes - these are typically our youngest, oldest and most vulnerable people.
(Source: Noted article by Ruth Nicol, 9 June 2017)
FAQs
How long do I have to donate my curtains?
We will be collecting curtains up until Monday 23 July, 2018.
What happens to my donated curtains once they have been picked up?
Donated curtains will be collected and distributed to Red Cross Curtain Banks in Whakatane, Tauranga, Gisborne, Palmerston North & Invercargill where volunteers will upcycle and refurbish them to fit windows of grateful recipients, providing a warmer, healthier place to live.
Who can access Red Cross Curtain Banks?
Potential recipients need to be referred through agencies, which identify individuals or families with a need for curtains. Curtains have been sewn for people with community service cards, renters, private home owners, Housing New Zealand clients and for marae. Contact your local service centre for details.
Haven’t found what you needed? Email [email protected]