Ray White office’s donate over 50,000 gifts with A little Ray of giving

A little Ray of Giving is one of Ray Whites most fond events, giving the company and its franchise members a chance to give back to the community throughout New Zealand and Australia. With over 350 offices participating in the event, we are proud to recognise that in its 6th year, it was our most successful A little Ray of Giving, with all gifts being donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand (RMHC) and a number of other charities at the choice of the offices participating. Each year we aim to brighten the lives of as many members of the community as possible, A little Ray of Giving is a chance for our members, customers, and community to come together, donate gifts and host events to make a difference in the lives of those facing a challenging time during the festive season.

Over 50,000 gifts and thousands of dollars were raised to be donated through auctions and events. As a company, we are extremely proud of everyone who contributes to helping us spread festive cheer to those who deserve it the most. Ray White Kemey’s Brothers in Lower Hutt were a stand out contributor this year with over $5,000 worth of gifts being donated to both RMHC and Women’s Refuge in Wellington. Throughout the four-week campaign, the office kept their followers up to date with their collection details, responses and shout outs to those that helped them achieve such an impressive result. Ray White Canterbury offices also raised an amazing $2,200 through the South Island Wine and Food Festival, their sponsorship of the event and recharging station provided water, electronic charges to festival goers along with a donation tree to those willing. This money provided Ronald McDonald House South Island with the funds to hold a Christmas day for those children, parents and caregivers living away from home.

Where possible Ray White members aim to hand deliver the gifts, as the A little Ray of Giving initiative is as much about raising money and donating gifts as it is about seeing the smiles it brings to the children and families faces who are positively affected by it. Ray White City Apartments is a prime example of this. Earlier in 2017, the team took cupcakes down to those staying at Ronald McDonald House in Auckland, and the positive response received made them even more excited to head down at the end of December bearing the gifts to donate. It was clear to see on everyone’s faces how much more exciting personally delivering the gifts and spending time with the children was, allowing the true spirit of Christmas, being together, to shine through. On top of this, the Ray White City Apartments team held an in-house auction, resulting in $4,470 being raised in support of A little Ray of Giving – an outcome they were extremely pleased with.

Ray White Full Circle held another stand out event in part with David Britton of the team who also operates Dark Side Entertainers. The company undertakes fundraising and community events in the Christchurch and North Canterbury areas. This year he combined with Ray White to hold a “spectacular” at the Ray White Full Circle office. Bringing a “tsunami” of wrapped soft toys with them, families around Christchurch were invited to the event take photos with the special guests including Gandalf the Grey, Wonder Woman, Super Man and Alice in Wonderland (see some of the pictures below). The event was a hit with donations pouring in and the special guests handing out the gifts themselves, even Lord Vadar being overcome by the Christmas spirit. In the end, 275 gifts were donated to RMHC. By combining the efforts of Dark Side Entertainers and Ray White Full Circle’s Marketing Manager Leslie Baird, believed that they were able to “combine the spirit of Christmas and of giving, but in doing so we have left lasting memories with hundreds of children in Christchurch … and for us, there is no greater cause that we can achieve in the world.”