Doesn’t every kid dream about finding a buried treasure? Whether it’s a chest of pirate’s gold, a long lost coin with untold value, or flecks of gold in the riverbed, the idea of finding something worthwhile in the most common of places is captivating. However, for one town in New Zealand, looking for buried treasure is something they do every year. But the true treasure is not in what they uncover with their shovels, but simply the act of searching for it.
If you walk along Orewa Beach on the right day in January, you will encounter hundreds of people of all ages digging through the sand. You’ll see children running to their parents to show them the treasures they have uncovered, and people in bright yellow shirts serving food, distributing prizes and chatting with members of the community. This is all thanks to the Orewa Lions Club. Chartered in 1964, Orewa is a club of 42 Lions that draws hundreds from the community every year to their Big Dig event.
The Big Dig event is a community fun day and…one that up to three generations of families have been coming to. –Club Treasurer, Warwick Simons
The Big Dig
Orewa hosted its first Big Dig in 1980, and, with few exceptions, it has continued every year since—38 times to be exact. Some attendees (including those who dug for treasure when they were children) have gone on to join the Orewa Lions Club and help it continue the tradition of bringing families together for a fun-filled day of treasure hunting and adventure. Club Treasurer Warwick Simons says that the Big Dig event is a community fun day, one that up to three generations of families have been coming to.
Each year, the Orewa Lions choose a cause or a community need to support with the event. This year, they chose Lions International’s signature cause, diabetes. “A number of our members have diabetes, and more and more people are living with the disease, undiagnosed,” said Club President Christine Povey. “Our club has chosen to focus on diabetes as a core service activity for my year as president, and using the Big Dig to promote diabetes awareness will help us spread the word.”
Adventure for all ages
The Big Dig is divided into two competitions, one for children under five years of age and one for everyone over five. Each participant purchases tickets to dig for “buried treasure,” such as lollipop sticks, in the sand. Your first treasure wins you a small reward, and any subsequent pieces win entry into the grand prize drawing. Orewa Lions gave away diabetes-branded toys this year and awarded raffle prizes, like kayaks and a swimming pool to help families stay more active and fight off diabetes.
The Big Dig also includes other activities for families, such as a variety of amusement rides, a tug-of-war contest and instructor-led “Jump/Jam” classes to keep kids and adults moving. Diabetes informational stands and free diabetes screenings are set up to raise awareness of the cause.
Behind the scenes
Amanda Hebben, the club’s secretary, LCIF coordinator and marketing communication chairperson, says that the planning process for the Big Dig is extensive. Lions begin preparing for the event and searching for sponsors six to eight months ahead of time. The club has a committee of five or six people who do all of the planning and organizing. She says that hosting the event for so long has helped them establish a solid timeline with which to plan each year’s festivities.
One of the biggest hurdles the Orewa Lions have had to overcome in order to continue hosting the Big Dig is funding. The Lions want to make the event an affordable experience for the community, which means that they must rely heavily on sponsorships.
The fact that the Big Dig is a tradition within the community is a great way to keep participation up, but it doesn’t always entice sponsors to donate their time or their money. Orewa Lions have had to adjust their tactics to find several smaller sponsors in lieu of the larger sponsorships they have gotten in the past. They have also utilized grant opportunities at Lions Clubs International to provide additional funding when sponsorship dollars have fallen short.
A continued impact
Orewa used the funds raised from the Big Dig this year to provide diabetes supplies and awareness to their community. They funded emergency diabetes kits for local schools as well as positive eating courses. They also provided Jerry Bear Packs (teddy bears designed to teach kids about diabetes care) to children with Type 1 diabetes.
Thanks to the leadership of the Big Dig’s committee members over the years, the Orewa Lions Club’s Big Dig has served many causes. Thousands of families have created memories together, and the Orewa Lions Club has been able to sustain its membership and continue to engage with and help the community that looks forward to their event each year.
Read more about the Lions’ Big Dig event.
Tell us about your club’s favorite event by emailing GAT@lionsclubs.org.
Christy Kneisel is a Global Action Team coordinator at Lions Clubs International.
