Advocate/Lions' Christmas Toy Appeal still open

Northern Advocate classified consultants/reception staff (from left) Gaylene Kooge, Marilyn McRae and Tauke Clark with the Christmas Tree at the Advocate's Robert St office. Photo / Tania Whyte

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Northland, with plenty of people giving to the Northern Advocate/Whangarei Lions Clubs' annual Christmas Toy Appeal.

A steady stream of people have been coming to the Advocate's office in Robert St or the Whangarei Public Library to donate toys to leave under their Christmas Trees.

The toys will be distributed to a range of Northland charities to help our families in need enjoy a happy Christmas.

Organiser Doug Smeal from Lions said the generosity of Northlanders in giving to the appeal never ceases to amaze.

The donated items were gratefully received by the charities, which this year include Barnardos, Jigsaw North Family Trust, Te Puna and Tryphena women's refuges, Te Aroha Medical Centre, Otangarei Puawaitangeata, Miriam Centre, Ngati Hau Health and Social Services, Kia Ora Ngatiwai, Otangarei Trust and the Genesis Centre.

The appeal is running until the Friday before Christmas and people can take toys to the Advocate office at 88 Robert St, or the Whangarei Public Library in Rust Ave, where they will be placed under the Christmas trees.

Meanwhile, for those in the Far North wanting to donate a pile of presents is building under the Northland Age Christmas tree, but more will be gratefully accepted (along with non-perishable food) over the next few days. The collection will be handed over to the Salvation Army on Tuesday for distribution to local families. The Age office is at 156, Commerce St, Kaitaia.