Big-hearted Bay proves Christmas a time for giving
Apart from the businesses and individuals who support the Hawke's Bay Christmas Cheer Appeal, the region's community trusts also step aboard - in a big way.
This year has been no exception with the Endeavour Community Foundation, the First Light Community Foundation and the Eastern and Central Community Trust all getting in behind the Family Works folk to produce an invaluable $11,000 boost to the annual appeal, which will provide those less fortunate with a very Merry Christmas.
The monetary support is crucial to help fund the more than 1000 food and gift parcels which will go out just before Christmas, to families and individuals.
These are tough times, and the support coming in is uplifting and humbling for the organisers in Napier and Hastings who manage the funding and steer the volunteer crews who give up their time on the packing and distribution days to come, to make Christmas a special time for so many people.
The Endeavour Community Foundation and the First Light Community Foundation provided $4000 each, while the Eastern and Central Community Trust came up with $3000.
On the public and business side, the appeal got a great boost through the generosity of St Columba's Presbyterian Church Two Fold Opportunity Shop - they called in with a cheque for $400.
"As it is the Christmas season we hope you will be able to bring some cheer to those in need," a spokesperson said.
An annual supporter of the appeal, the Cosmopolitan Club Centennial Charitable Trust, also gave the kitty a fine boost with a cheque for $200.
The gift fund also got a fabulous boost through the Christmas spirit shown by Ron and Sylvia Wareham, who dropped off two large boxes of wonderful soft toys.
A Napier legal firm, which said it did not need to be named, also got into the giving spirit with a collection of goodies.
Toys, books and gifts (for all ages which is good stuff because teens and adults are very much on the Christmas gift list) have continued to appear under the tree in the Napier office.
ABC Hastings Central in Tomoana Rd, St Leonards, has set up a donation box for folk to donate groceries for the appeal ... wonderful stuff.
People wanting to give to the 2012 Hawke's Bay Christmas Cheer Appeal can do so at the Napier and Hastings offices of Hawke's Bay Today, the Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere public libraries, Paper Plus in Taradale , Classic Hits Napier, Toyworld and Mitre 10 Mega in Hastings and Napier.
Three cash donation accounts will be run, so donors can nominate for their money to go to Napier, Hastings or the joint account.
Toys and books for children, and gifts for teenagers and adults are sought for gift parcels, alongside non-perishable foodstuffs.
The appeal runs until December 21.
Hawke's Bay Christmas Cheer Appeal Donations
- Previously acknowledged $1587
- St Columba's Presbyterian Two-Fold Op Shop $400
- Napier Cosmopolitan Club Centennial Charitable Trust $200
Total $2187
