Over $3000 was raised by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) charity group ‘Give A Little Aroa’ in aid of the Ahiao family, whose home was completely destroyed in a fire last week.

Homeowner Martha Ahiao was speechless and overwhelmed by the flood of donations and kind-heartedness from family, friends and the community.

On behalf of her husband Joe, their children and families, Martha expressed deep gratitude for the clothes, food, parcels and generosity from everyone and the fundraising groups including MFEM, CC Tamure, Aka’uka Time and Mai’i Bar.

Yesterday, MFEM staff Leilani Sadaraka-Gardiner, Andre Tuiravakai, Maria Poila and Lexi Mackenzie-Hoff took “annual leave” from work to cook and organise the 200 sausage sizzle orders that were pre-sold last week.

Sadaraka-Gardiner, the spokesperson for MFEM’s Give A Little Aroa group, was happy to see the “really good response” from the community and thanked the sponsors.

“Because of your generosity we were able to raise $3228.70 for the Ahiao Family Fundraising Campaign. This campaign was a team effort and the success can be attributed to the partnership between the public, private sectors and the support of the general public,” said Sadaraka-Gardiner.

CC Tamure Fitness Cook Islands driven by the Give A Little Aroa group held a dance class fundraiser yesterday which raised $500.

Dance tutor Mona Taio said although the fundraiser was “last minute”, in a short time they managed to get a good turnout of women join in and contribute towards the worthy cause.

Another CC Tamure Dance Fundraiser will be held next week on Wednesday, September 28 at 12 noon at the Are Pua Gateway church with the theme “Fire and Ice”.

MFEM would like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution towards the sizzle and desserts fundraiser: Prime Foods for 100 sausages, another 100 sausages donated by Prime Minister Mark Brown, cakes made by the Economists and Analysts department, the Economic Planning Division for the nu from Aitutaki, Air Raro for the freight, desserts by Vou Williams from Soul Café, and Turoa Bakery for the bread.