It’s about time we let you in on a truly special charity. While we all love a good cup of Joe to kickstart our day, did you know that we also love supporting a fantastic cause in the Bay of Plenty (and beyond)? That’s right! We’re talking about the Graeme Dingle Foundation and the amazing work they’re doing for young people across New Zealand. So, grab your cup of coffee and settle in as we share how the Black Stag team is making a difference, one coffee (and skydive) at a time.

What is the Graeme Dingle Foundation?

The Graeme Dingle Foundation is an inspiring organization dedicated to transforming young lives in New Zealand. Founded by adventurer and mountaineer Sir Graeme Dingle, the foundation aims to empower young people with the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to overcome life’s challenges and build brighter futures. Their mission is to equip youth with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of modern life, fostering a generation of strong, capable individuals who can contribute positively to their communities.

The foundation operates a range of innovative programs designed to support youth development at various stages of their lives. Here’s a brief overview of some of their key initiatives:

  • Kiwi Can: This is a values and life skills program for primary and intermediate school students. It focuses on teaching essential skills such as resilience, respect, and integrity through fun, interactive activities. By instilling these values early on, Kiwi Can helps set a strong foundation for young people to build upon as they grow.
  • Stars: A peer mentoring program for high school students, Stars connects younger students with senior student mentors who guide them through their first year of high school. This program helps ease the transition from primary to secondary education, providing support and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community.
  • Career Navigator: This program aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by providing career guidance, work experience, and mentoring to high school students. Career Navigator helps students explore their career options, develop job-ready skills, and create pathways to meaningful employment.
  • Project K: A comprehensive youth development program targeting Year 10 students (14-15 years old), Project K is designed to build confidence, self-esteem, and life skills through a combination of wilderness adventure, community challenge, and individual mentoring. The program encourages students to set goals and take steps towards achieving them, ultimately empowering them to lead fulfilling and successful lives.

The Graeme Dingle Foundation’s programs are backed by extensive research and have proven to make a significant positive impact on the lives of young people. By focusing on the development of social and emotional skills, the foundation helps youth navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve their full potential. You can learn more about their fantastic work here.

James Takes the Plunge for Youth

Black Stags’ very own daredevil and owner, James, is gearing up for an adrenaline-pumping adventure as part of this year’s 2024 Drop for Youth fundraiser. This annual event is one of the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s most significant fundraisers, providing vital support to their programs. Sometime later this year, James will be skydiving from a breathtaking 12,000 feet to raise money and awareness for the foundation.

James’s participation in Drop for Youth is more than just a leap of faith—it’s a commitment to helping transform young lives. The funds raised will go directly towards enabling the foundation to continue its essential work, helping young people build confidence, resilience, and valuable life skills. James is thrilled to be part of this event, and we couldn’t be prouder of his dedication to such a worthy cause.

If you would like to donate, then click THIS LINK. Every $500 raised helps another 2 children for a year, so every dollar raised really does make a difference. Let’s help the foundation to reach as many young people as possible and empower them to see that what they have inside is greater than any obstacle they may face.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity!

Jo and Claire at the Tauranga business women's speaker series | Black Stag’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment

Brewing Support at the Tauranga Business Women’s Speaker Series

Back in May, Jo and Claire from the Black Stag team had the pleasure of attending the Tauranga Business Women’s Speaker Series event. This was an incredible opportunity for us to support the Graeme Dingle Foundation and connect with the local community. We decided to add a little extra perk to the event by offering complimentary coffees to all attendees.

We brought along two of our fabulous coffee machines and served up delicious, freshly brewed cups of Black Stag Coffee. While enjoying their coffee, attendees could make an optional gold coin donation to the foundation. We were thrilled to see the generosity of our fellow coffee enthusiasts, and thanks to their kind donations, we raised $90.00 for the Graeme Dingle Foundation. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness for such an important cause.

Long-Term Commitment to Making a Difference

At Black Stag Coffee, we believe in more than just great coffee—we believe in making a positive impact on our community. Our recent support for the Graeme Dingle Foundation is just the beginning of our commitment to supporting their incredible work. We’ll be looking at planning several other initiatives to further our support for the foundation. 

If you’re as passionate about supporting the Graeme Dingle Foundation as we are, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, there are many ways to get involved and help make a difference in the lives of young people across New Zealand.

 

Claire and Dan from The Graeme Dingle Foundation | Black Stag’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment

Join Black Stag in Supporting the Graeme Dingle Foundation

As we continue to brew up new ways to support the Graeme Dingle Foundation, we invite you to join us on this journey.So, the next time you savour that fresh cup of Joe from your Black Stag coffee machine, know that you’re not just fueling your day—you’re helping build brighter futures for our youth.

Thank you for being part of the Black Stag Coffee community and for supporting our efforts to make a difference. Let’s keep the momentum going and show our young people that we believe in them and their potential.

Cheers to great coffee and even greater causes!


Learn more about the Graeme Dingle Foundation: Graeme Dingle Foundation

Stay updated with Black Stag’s blogs: Black Stag Coffee

Interested in supporting the Graeme Dingle Foundation? Get in touch with us!


Remember, every sip counts. Let’s make a difference together, one cup at a time.