The North Island Wildlife Recovery Association is turning to the public to request a different kind of donation — a name for its gift shop.
The gift shop’s new name will need to include something about the wildlife at the recovery centre.
Jodi Young, NIWRA office manager and volunteer co-ordinator, said the idea for the contest began as a way to promote the gift shop since a lot of people don’t know there is one at the centre.
“It’s a nice way of personalizing it and making it more relatable to animals,” said Young.
NIWRA is asking people to submit their name, phone number and gift shop name idea to giftshop@niwra.org.
The gift shop doesn’t have a name currently, said Young.
Over the first few days of the contest, Young said there were at least a hundred submissions. Submissions will be accepted until June 15.
Young said staff is sorting through all the submissions as they come in. As there will be some duplicate names, she said they will be considering the first submission.
Young said they’re hoping to have picked a winner the week following the deadline. The winner will receive one annual membership or renewal of an existing membership.
Once a name is picked, Young said, a new sign will be made for the gift shop.
For more information on the centre, visit www.niwra.org.
NIWRA will also host its Family Day event Saturday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the centre. Admission to the event is free.
There will be crafts, entertainment and games. Some of the games are free while others require tickets. There will also be a scavenger hunt.