Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

I have the privilege of serving as a trustee on the Acorn Foundation Board – I say privilege because it is so rewarding to see the wonderful work being facilitated by community minded people across the Western Bay of Plenty.

Such people leave money to the Acorn Foundation, either in their will or during their lifetime, and the investment income is used to make distributions to local charities and community groups, every year – forever. People can specify a particular charity that they want their annual distributions to go to, or they can leave it to the Trustees to decide where their money is best needed.

Acorn now has $13.7 million invested as a result of people's generosity, and this year will distribute about $580,000 to more than 50 organisations who are making a difference in the community.

The value of this money is amplified many times by the volunteers in these organisations who are working to help people. This is pretty special and deserves to be better understood. The more people who join with Acorn, the more it can do to help.

To find out more check out www.acornfoundation.org.nz or you can contact me on neesj@xtra.co.nz or phone 07 579 5150.