Hastings Christmas Cheer cash and food baskets boosted

Hastings cheer crew member Carla Crosbie with the giant gift from Kraft Heinz. Photo / Supplied

DROP-OFF POINTS
NAPIER: Hawke's Bay Today and Classic Hits at NZME House Dickens St, Toyworld, Paper Plus Taradale, Alexander Construction, Mitre 10.

HASTINGS: Hastings Public Library, Flaxmere Library, Family Works, Hawke's Bay Today, Mitre 10, Havelock North Print and Design.

The Christmas Cheer food basket and cash fund have received a fine early December boost, with the cash total now edging close to the $3500 mark through some generous donations from business and service groups.

Napier Host Lions, whose members are annual and devoted supporters of the appeal, dropped off a $500 donation, as did the crew at Higgins Contractors HB.

That company has also got in behind the appeal in past years.

Their generosity was added to by Ian Dick Concrete Contractors, who gave $100 to the crucial cash fund.

And Jake Brookie called by the Napier office of Hawke's Bay Today with a $60 donation.

Money raised will help pay for the food items which will help fill hundreds of parcels for the less fortunate in the community.

In Napier and Hastings about 3000 people will get a Christmas treat they would otherwise not have got were it not for the caring community around them.

And when it comes to filling those parcels the Hastings cheer team were delighted to receive a wonderful multi-canned gift from Kraft Heinz.

Matt Crosbie from AB Equipment was happy to deliver and unload the pallet of dozens and dozens of cartons of canned goodies from Kraft Heinz.

Hastings cheer co-ordinator Jo Reyngoud was delighted with the delivery.

"We thank them so much for their generosity," she said.

Napier co-ordinator Hellene Overend, though, was delighted with the efforts of Tamatea Intermediate.

The school put together a great donation of handmade soaps and bags which will become special gifts for many.

So will the efforts of the Napier Weavers group, who called by with two bags filled with handmade and donated gifts for children.

The bags are filled with all sorts of colourful little playmates, and some of the craftwork on the handmade little bears and bunnies is superb.

On the toy front Ms Overend said every donation of goodies for children was valuable, as were gifts for all ages.

Every little thing helps make Christmas a special one for those who would otherwise not find the festive season so festive.

The appeal runs through until December 20 and gifts, toys, cash and non-perishable food items can be left at any of the drop-off points listed above.

Previously acknowledged.............................$2301

Napier Host Lions..........................................$500

Higgins Construction HB...............................$500

Ian Dick Concrete Contractors......................$100

Diack Bros......................................................$25

Jake Brookie...................................................$60

Total...........................................................$3486