ANZCO's Local Heroes: John Moses

Today, meet John Moses

Knife Trainer at ANZCO Foods Canterbury

John keeps pretty busy around the community. He's the Vice Club Captain at Tinwald Golf Club, helping out at all the working bees and attending two club meetings a month. He's also part of the green committee, match committee, bar committee, and main committee! He does some volunteer work for his Mum’s local church, mostly gardening and maintenance jobs to keep the place looking tidy, and also helps out when there are special events and they need help with setup and decorating. In summer he helps people get rid of their garden rubbish, especially those who aren’t able to do it themselves. He also helps out at the retirement home where his wife works - he enjoys getting involved in arts and crafts with the people who live there. In winter he coaches his nephew’s football team. And when people need help shifting house, he's there to lend a hand. He says “I guess I just enjoy pitching in wherever I can.”

Day-to-day, he’ll normally message the different groups he volunteers with to check in and see if they need a hand with anything. Sometimes it’s helping out at a club working bee, other times it’s doing a bit of gardening or odd jobs. He tries to stay in touch and be available wherever he can.

John says a lot of his volunteering just happened naturally. His sister asked if he’d coach his nephew’s football team as their team was struggling to find a coach - he couldn’t stand the thought of them missing out especially when they love the game so much, so he stepped in. He was already involved socially in golf when the Club Captain, Dave King, asked if he’d take on a more official role. The step made sense and it was something he knew he'd enjoy and find rewarding. He's been involved in church since he was a kid, serving as an altar boy for a number of years, so now if the church needs anything they know they can call on him. At the retirement home, it started small by moving a few beds, and it grew from there.

Keeping active plays a big part in what keeps John motivated. He goes to the gym four to six days a week and is involved in lots of twilight sports like cricket, netball, golf, and softball, and his volunteering adds on to what he already enjoys. He also enjoys being around people, so that keeps him going too. But mostly, it just feels good to give back and make someone’s day a little easier, and you’d be surprised how much of a difference the little things can make. 

He's come to realise just how many people in the community need a bit of help. He didn't always see it until he put himself out there and started getting involved - but once he did, it opened his eyes to how much of a difference he could make.

He says volunteering has definitely helped him at work, too. There's about 500 people using knives at ANZCO Foods Canterbury, so communication is a big part of his job, especially being able to communicate with people from all different backgrounds and cultures. Volunteering helped him become more confident with people and grow as a leader and team player, and those skills transfer back into work too. He's learned patience, empathy, how to listen, and how to just be there for others. And he says it also makes him feel thankful for what he has.

The biggest highlight for John is seeing the smiles on people’s faces when you lend a hand. Whether it’s helping someone move house, doing the gardens, or just taking the time to talk with someone at the retirement home, that connection and the feeling of making someone’s day is what it’s all about for him.

His advice for someone keen to start helping in their local community is to start small and just look around you. Ask your mates, family, or neighbours if they know someone who needs help. Try popping down to your local sports club, church or local community group as they are always looking for volunteers. You’ll be surprised how many people out there could use a hand with something, and even lending a hand for an hour can make a difference.