A group of teenage girls from Lower Hutt have founded their own social enterprise to provide disadvantaged children with birthday parties.
Grace Nickel, 17, Nyah Holland, 18, and Phoenix Dingle, 17, began their birthday business, Boomerang, last year - but officially launched on 14 June.
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"We began early last year with our focus group meeting. Our focus group consisted of social workers from organisations like the Salvation Army, Stand for the Children and Barnardos," Grace Nickel, Boomerang's CEO and Marketing Director, told Newshub.
"Over 70 New Zealand organisations and charities are working hard to cater to children's primary needs, yet nobody is providing the fundamental experiences that help shape their lives and character. Our business idea; giving children in poverty birthday parties."
The girls chose the name 'Boomerang' as a what-goes-around-comes-around analogy. "We believe that when you give to the community, you receive so much more in return," says their Givealittle page.
Beneficiaries are determined by the local Salvation Army.
"We are partnered with the Salvation Army Lower Hutt. Social workers will identify a child with a birthday coming up, and contact their family. We aren't involved in this, as we realise that we are not qualified to work with children like these," Nickel told Newshub.
Boomerang covers the costs of the party, including the venue, snacks, transport and a cake. "Each birthday party will cost us $500," Nickel said. Junglerama or Jumperama in Lower Hutt are the primary venue choices.
The girls raise their own funds for Boomerang through donations, merchandise sales and their Givealittle page.
The trio's official Givealittle has currently raised over $1500.
"We've raised enough money for our first three parties already." Nickel said.
Local businesses and community groups can also opt to buy-a-birthday, a scheme where a party can be purchased for a disadvantaged child.
The launch last Friday was attended by members of the Salvation Army and around 30 to 40 local kids.
"The purpose of our launch was to raise awareness about our business and promote our business to the local media. We invited people such as local business owners and both local and national politicians; including Lower Hutt MP Chris Bishop." said Nickel.
"In the future we would love to expand to the wider Wellington region."
Newshub.
