The teams at Craigs Investment Partners in Nelson and Blenheim spend 12 months ‘saving-up’ for Christmas which means come December, they have funds to donate to charities doing important work in the Tasman and Marlborough communities.
“Nelson is a relatively small office, with five staff who participate in Workplace Giving and every dollar we donate is matched by Craigs. It’s a hugely rewarding initiative to be involved with,” says Tanya McMurtrie, Investment Adviser with Craigs in Nelson.
“This year the Nelson office had $3,500 to donate to local charities and we chose to give to Lifelinc Nelson, the Nelson Community Food Bank,  Whakatū Women's Refuge and Second Chance Nelson Tasman.”
The donations are all made under the name ‘Craigs Christmas Giving’ through the Top of the South Community Foundation (TSCF).
Tanya says deciding which charities to support is never easy.  “There are so many amazing charities doing fantastic work in our region, and many are feeling the pinch as fund raising is harder than ever. We could have spread the money thinly across many more, but we wanted our donations to have meaning so by supporting four charities we know the funds will make a difference.” 
That Christmas is not the happiest time of the year for many individuals, families and even animals, is the motivation behind choosing the charities selected to receive this year’s gifts, she says.
“It is humbling to know what a difference these donations can make to the lives of people and animals in our community at a time when so many people are under emotional and financial pressure. It is also a pleasure to work with Top of the South Community Foundation to make these gifts.”
Workplace Giving is very much part of Craigs Investment Partners’ culture. Nationally Craigs has been a long-time supporter of communities across the country and this year will distribute $150,000 to local charities.
“Workplace giving is encouraged at all levels within Craigs and it’s an affordable way for individuals to support local charities, made even more appealing by the fact that Craigs matches donations dollar for dollar,” says Tanya.
“Craigs believe in being actively involved in giving back to the community through fundraising and volunteering and are proud to support the communities where we live and work, for the long term.”
The Blenheim office giving story will be featured in a future newsletter, they generously supported Marlborough Foodbank and Marlborough Four Paws charities with $2,500.
Lifelinc provides affordable, professional counselling for individuals, couples, and families in need in Nelson Tasman.
The Nelson Community Food Bank relies on the generosity of the community to be able to deliver food parcels to families and individuals experiencing hardship in the Nelson area.
Whakatū Women's Refuge helps all women and their tamariki to live free from domestic and family violence.
Second Chance Nelson Tasman finds loving homes for dogs that have been dumped, neglected or abused.