Sirens howling and sprinkles flying will be all in the name of encouraging community connection and safety this Sunday, November 19, at the Pāpāmoa Sports & Recreational Centre.

Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support is hosting the Sirens & Services Koha Ice Cream Day for people to learn more about the importance of keeping communities closeknit and safe.

“It’s really important that we keep connected and that people know each other – that they know their neighbours in order to feel safe within a community,” says event co-ordinator Rebecca Larsen.

With fire engines, police cars and ambulances on-site the family fun day will offer plenty of demonstrations and information to learn about how essential services care for our communities.

Here to Help You, Land Search & Rescue – known as LandSAR –  Community Patrol NZ and Fisheries NZ representatives will be on-site, plus Tauranga City Council’s Emergency Management Team. “They’ve got a virtual reality experience they’re bringing along about tsunamis and earthquakes,” says Rebecca.

The event will also support the Pāpāmoa Food Hub, which was created after the sudden closure of Pāpāmoa Family Services in September. “That was sort of a catalyst to create a new entity, which can provide food parcels and care packages for those in need and also provide cooking classes,” says WBOPNS manager Bruce Banks, who spearheaded the food hub.

On the day people can bring a koha or food item in exchange for a free ice-cream loaded with sprinkles, wafers and toppings! A free family-friendly event with kai, entertainment, sirens and more will be on offer – so bring your family along and meet your neighbourhood!

The Sirens & Services Koha Ice Cream Day is 10am-2pm at Pāpāmoa Sports & Recreational Centre – and will go ahead rain or shine!