Rotorua Fire Station senior fire fighter Alan Dawick will be helping work colleagues collect food donations in the Rotorua Daily Post Salvation Army foodbank can drive next week. Photo/Stephen Parker.
Rotorua firefighters will be out lending some muscle in the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal can drive.
They will help collect foodbank donations for the city's Salvation Army.
The can drive in the Pandora Westbrook area is set to get under way from the Westbrook shopping centre on Malfroy Road on Monday night.
Two fire truck crews will be helped by Rotorua Daily Post staff and the Salvation Army.
Fire station senior officer Cam McEwen said the staff were pleased to be asked to help.
"It's about doing something for the community and putting our face to a community event for a group of people who need assistance."
Ritchies Transport and the Lake Okareka Fire Brigade have agreed to use their vehicles for transport and collections.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay will also be on hand with his high school youth advisory group helping collect non- perishable food items.
Donations of food, toys and children's books have been steadily building for the appeal which will end on Christmas Eve.
A number of individuals and groups have made already substantial donations including Glenholme Primary School pupils who collected 225 cans from a mufti day, Westpac Bank staff, Lake Okareka community, Elim Church, Rotorua police and Cummins staff.
Reporoa Lions Club and the Reporoa community and four Rotorua Lions clubs - Geyserland, Sulphur City, Ngongotaha and Rotorua East - donated $700 worth of food items to the appeal.
An anonymous donor also gave 48 cans to add to the more than 200 items donated by other anonymous donors so far.
As many volunteer collectors as possible are needed to come along and help out with the can drive. The meeting spot will be the large parking area near the Westbrook shops between 5.30-6pm.
Donations can be made at our Hinemoa St office between 8am and 5pm weekdays.
People can donate money or non-perishable food. Food donations can also be made at the Salvation Army's Community Ministries at Community House on Haupapa St.
If your organisation is organising a can drive or fundraising event, contact Daily Post reporter Mike Watson, phone (07) 348 6199 ext 57049, or email mike.watson@dailypost.co.nz
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