Kopuwai Early Learning Centre educator Catherine Gale said the centre’s old oven had been there longer than she had, so the upgrade — courtesy of a community fundraising effort — was well received.
The not-for-profit centre, which looks after children from Clyde to Omakau and Ophir, reached out to the Alexandra Lions Club for financial assistance in replacing the oven.
Alexandra Lions Club member Barry McCall said the club decided it was worthwhile to not just providefinancial assistance tothe centre but to provide them with a brand new oven instead.
The "for local, by local" project was made possible by using some of the funds generated by the Lions’ annual cavalcade catering project, where the club provided meals for one of the riding trails for the week as riders headed cross country to their destination, he said.
The oven was from Alexandra’s Appliance Plus, as the Lions also wanted to support local suppliers.
Educator Margreet ter Bruggen said the centre was really proud and grateful the Lions had helped them get a new oven.
The new oven was amazing for the centre, she said.
It would be used to heat up food the children brought in for their lunches, such as pies, and was much better than a microwave, she said.
The oven will also help when educators would bake with the children.
"We do a lot of baking with the children so it’s nice to have an oven that ... holds its temperature and is more reliable," she said.
