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Community organisations are looking for donations to improve Christmas for local families in need. Here’s how you can help:
Homebuilders
Homebuilders supports families at Christmas by giving gifts to those who are in low income jobs or on benefits.
Coordinator Quentin Jukes says that the high accommodation costs in North Rodney mean that many families will not be able to give their children gifts without this initiative.
“Parents are always very grateful for any assistance and to be able to pass on the generosity of the community to their children,” Quentin says.
“Although Christmas isn’t all about presents, it’s nice for these struggling families to be able to give gifts like everyone else.”
Gifts can be left at Homebuilders, at 5 Hexham Street, in Warkworth, or under the tree at the Mahurangi Matters office in Neville Street.
They will be distributed to families from Snells Beach to Wellsford, and around 150 gifts are normally given out each year through the initiative.
“We really like presents that encourage exercise or creativity, so sports gear, art equipment and board games are all a good idea.”
Quentin requests that gifts be new or in excellent condition if second-hand.
Foodbox Appeal
The Christmas Foodbox Appeal will distribute around 200 boxes of staple foods and tasty treats next month.
The initiative gave out 100 boxes when it started four years ago and has grown ever since, using groups such as Springboard and the Budget Service to identify who needs assistance the most.
People can choose to either fill a box themselves or donate food to either the Presbyterian Church in Warkworth or Mahurangi Matters office. All goods must be non-perishable.
Presbyterian Church manager Roger Mackay says the initiative is all about getting people involved with giving and helping needy families.
The appeal has made up a list of foods it would like to receive, ordered under sections such as tinned, dry goods, condiments, drinks and Christmas treats. Food must be donated by December 12. To see the suggested list of foods visit localmatters.co.nz
Rodney Women’s Centre
The Rodney Women’s Centre is collecting presents for families.
Gifts can be left at the women’s centre at 10 Morpeth Street, Warkworth, or at either the ANZ or Westpac banks in Warkworth. Centre manager Colleen Julian says the families don’t know they are getting any presents so are extremely grateful when they arrive. A ‘giving tree’ has been set-up in ANZ and donors are asked to visit it and select an angel that has a gender and age group on it. In this way, they will know whom they are buying for.
“We recommend giving things like books, clothing, sports gear and vouchers, but nothing with batteries,” Colleen says.
The trees will be up from December 1 to 15.
