Christmas Appeal: Sent packing for a cause

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule got a few pointers from experienced packer Joy Graham when he called in to do his bit yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

Packing the 850 parcels for this year's Hawke's Bay Today Christmas Cheer Appeal got under way yesterday and among the volunteers who stepped in to fill a few was Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule.

About 400 parcels are being packed for the less fortunate in the Hastings community and Mr Yule was happy to do his bit: "While the economy is going pretty well there are still a lot of people out there finding things pretty tough," he said.

There is a core of about 10 volunteers for the Hastings appeal and several have been doing it for six or seven years. They sort and pack more than 10,000 individual food and gift items.

"We love every minute of it," supervisor Joy Graham said.

Mr Yule agreed, saying he was "sort of" experienced in packing food items as he worked as a packer in a supermarket as a lad. Heavier items on the bottom, lighter on top, follow the instructions as to how many it would cater for and there you go.

The Hastings District Council has made a $7000 assistance grant, while the Eastern and Central Community Trust and the First Light Community Foundations both came forward with $3000. The Endeavour Community Foundation also came to the cheer appeal party with a $2000 grant. The Flaxmere Licensing Trust has also given it support.

Havelock North Primary School had a mufti day and the youngsters paid a "fine" to wear the clothes they wanted to. When the cash was counted, it came to $295: Great stuff, kids.

The Rotary Cub of Ahuriri gave $250 and the Taradale RSA Concert Party called in with $100. A raffle at Curves Gym raised $67 and gym-goers also donated gifts. Dean and Karen Woods dropped off $100.

At a Christmas season gathering last week members of the Patoka and Districts Garden Group took along an item for the appeal and the result was about 20 great gifts for all ages. Seventeen-year-old Zac used woodwork skills learnt at Napier Boys' High School to build a great portable food-and-drinks barbecue trolley and his family also dropped off a great pole-tennis set. The ladies from Bisson Moss in Napier had a collection and produced a box of fantastic goodies.

The appeal runs until December 19.

CASH FUND

Previously acknowledged $9761

Havelock North Primary School $295

Rotary Club of Ahuriri $250

Taradale RSA Concert Party $100

Dean and Karen Woods $100

Anonymous $100

Anonymous $20

Curves Gym raffle takings $67

Total $10,693