Before checking on the bins again yesterday morning Ms George said the bins at both stores had already been cleared twice as they filled up.
After making a quick check yesterday she said "make that three times - they're chocka again".
The two-week collections wrapped up yesterday after being launched on December 5 and Ms George said staff had embraced it and were determined to do their bit for the appeal.
As did the staff at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.
They all came up with an item to put in the special wheelbarrow the council provided and it was then raffled.
That resulted in $640 being donated to the cheer appeal.
"We had a fantastic response from everyone," council communications specialist Helen Shea said.
The Hastings Golf Club also staged a collection from members and the result was a great box of assorted food items.
The volunteers who look after the Hastings collection and sorting were delighted to call into the Hastings office of Hawke's Bay Today where a large amount of wonderful gifts and toys had been donated and dropped off by First Response.
They also received some great presents and Christmas goodies from St Matthews and St Lukes in Havelock North.
"There are some extremely generous people in our community," Hastings appeal co-ordinator Jo Reyngoud said.
As they have done in the past appeals, Ilene, Jean and Louise Roberts put together some beautifully wrapped packets of home-made shortbread and lollies.
Magoos Soap dropped off some fine soaps as well as a cash donation of $60.
The gift piles were added to by a man who arrived at the Napier office of Hawke's Bay Today with a large bag of assorted goodies, including boy toys for kids, and a young lady who called by with a carton of about a dozen wrapped gifts for children, teens and older people.
The appeal has really surged over the past week and is set to wrap up tomorrow.
Donations
Previously acknowledged.......................$13,868
Mega Mitre 10 check-out collections.......$1819
Hawke's Bay Regional Council staff............$640
Magoos Soaps.............................................$60
Anonymous.................................................$50
Napier counter tin........................................$31
Total......................................................$16,468