It was two weeks before Christmas and for under the tree, gifts in the thousands were packed.
On Tuesday Craggy Range Winery and 200 volunteers packed 3900 gift sacks ready to be distributed to children across Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa for the Children’s Christmas Foundation.
Craggy Range executive director David T. Peabody said they had the event running like a “well-oiled machine”.
“I think what is really new is how fast it goes, it used to take us about three days, now it takes about two hours.”
This year’s theme centred on STEM learning and encouraging both indoor and outdoor play with practical but fun gifts.
Presents were grouped into ages and included KiwiCo building sets, towels, goggles, gardening pots, books, soft toys, balls and more.
“The gifts are focused around different toys that can be used for a bit of fun but also some gifts that are practical that can help throughout the year.”
Peabody said they managed to pack all the gifts in two hours, leaving time for a wine afterwards.
“Since the inception now we have packed over 25,000 Santa sacks.”
He said the appeal was important to help reduce pressures on families who might have to choose between eating or buying presents.
“It shows kids that somebody cares, is out there looking out for them.”
He said the gifts are given to various community distribution centres, which have the names of families who will receive them. The families receive a sack for each child, colour-coded by age group.
“We try to design the gifts every year to address a different need.”
He said in the past, sleeping bags had been given as part of a camping theme and backpacks for a back-to-school theme.
“There are multiple uses for a lot of these gifts.”
He said the charity was always evolving and working with the community to address the pressing needs.
“This is probably one of the hardest years ... we all see it, the cost of living crisis and the cost for everything everywhere you look is going up.”
Peabody said anyone considering being part of the appeal to get in touch.
Napier City Council Christmas Cheer appeal for older people living alone and families
The Napier Christmas Cheer Appeal is open now for people who want to contribute, with 500 parcels to be packed up and delivered to families and individuals.
All money donated goes towards purchasing groceries for the Christmas Cheer hampers, which are gifted to older people living alone and to families.
The appeal has been running for 48 years, with Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Today working in partnership to make it happen.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said the relationship between the organisations and the public is essential for the success of the initiative every year.
“With everyone chipping in, we make a little stretch a long way and there are really deserving families and individuals who benefit.
“This is something we all believe in and we all get behind, with our staff helping out with their collecting buckets. The real heroes are the community, who always find extra to contribute to the collection.”
Donations can be made online until December 20 or in person at the Council Customer Service Centre or the Napier Libraries.
Gifts and non-perishable food items will also be accepted at the following locations:
Council Customer Service Centre, 215 Hastings St
Napier Library, 1 Tennyson St
Taradale Library, 24 White St
Mitre 10 Mega Napier, 180 Prebensen Drive
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.