The Fill the Bus campaign was a huge success. Photo / Ben Fraser
The Fill the Bus campaign was a huge success. Photo / Ben Fraser
Rotorua's generous locals have outdone themselves, surpassing last year's Christmas Appeal tally by nearly $5000.
By banding together to help families in need this Christmas, the Rotorua community has raised an astounding $49,092 worth of cash, food and gifts for the Salvation Army foodbank as part of the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal.
The appeal has been running since mid-November and has seen hundreds of locals, businesses, clubs, trusts, schools and even preschools get behind it and donate thousands of dollars, food items and gifts, making it one of the most successful appeals to date.
Last year's effort reached a whopping $44,169 worth of donated items.
Rotorua Salvation Army commanding officer Major Bill Millar said he was lost for words.
"There were many stages throughout this appeal that I thought to myself 'surely this is it, surely people have nothing more to give' but the donations kept pouring through, right up until the end.
"I am lost for words at the sense of community and the desire to help out that is experienced in every corner of Rotorua. It is clear people want to be involved in giving others hope which is a beautiful thing to see."
Rotorua Salvation Army commanding officer Major Bill Millar is speechless at the final tally for this year's Christmas appeal.
Mr Millar said this year's appeal had been an eye opener.
"It has been a huge privilege for my wife and I to be able to witness first hand the generosity in this city. The families we have been able to help this Christmas are so grateful for the hampers full of food and gifts they have been given."
Mr Millar said he could not be more proud of the people of Rotorua and that the mana in the city was tangible.
"The volume of donations and the way in which they were given says a lot about Rotorua and the people that live here."
In a break with tradition, the can drives of previous years were replaced by a hugely successful 12-hour Fill the Bus drive led by The Hits 97.5, with support from the Rotorua Daily Post, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Reesby Buses.
The marathon effort ended with more than $7000 worth of items being donated to stock the shelves at the Salvation Army's foodbank.
Other significant donations to the appeal were made by Red Stag, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, Scion, Rotorua Lakes Council, Rotorua BMX club, Agrodome and Hells Gate.
Rotorua Daily Post deputy editor Katie Holland said the Christmas appeal was always a highlight for her team, who were delighted by the fantastic amount raised for the foodbank.
She said day after day throughout the appeal reporters had been able to share incredible stories of generosity with readers.
"Every year we are blown away by the generosity of our readers and the community. A massive, massive thank you to everyone that contributed."
