Iris Porter, a volunteer at the Raglan Community House has won the top Waikato award for volunteering. Mrs Porter has run the Bargain Basement at the Community House for many years. Each year Volunteering Waikato calls for nominations to recognise the work of volunteers in the community. This year they received 23 nominations for the individual Volunteer of the Year excellence award.
Mrs Porter was announced the winner of the award ahead of 22 other nominations. Mrs Porter manages Raglan Community House Bargain Basement five days a week, and often takes clothes home for sorting and mending as well. The Bargain Basement provides additional funds for the Raglan Community House and affordable clothing and household goods for many people in Raglan.
Volunteering Waikato general manager Heather Moore said, “I am thrilled that nominations rose from 15 last year to 35 this year”.