Sallies spread some winter warmth

Residents struggling to keep warm this winter are receiving a helping hand from Rotorua Salvation Army.

The Blankets for All appeal is under way and the organisation is looking for donations of blankets and new water bottles to be given to local social agencies and people in need.

Salvation Army member Diana Adlam said the appeal was motivated by reading of a growing number of people needing help.

"I sort of started it off as I kept reading in the paper of people being cold. I was quite taken with the lady sitting in front of her oven," Mrs Adlam said.

The Rotorua Daily Post recently featured an article about nine people from a local family who were sleeping in their lounge with a gas heater and the oven on to keep warm.

"I've had friends in that position and it's not very nice. It seems to be a need in the community and that's the basis of it, of we can meet that need, it's the community helping the community." The collection will run to July 20 and the blankets will be distributed on July 22 and July 23.

Church Major Rex Rees said there was growing poverty in the city.

"People don't realise if they are not involved of what's actually going on so often they don't hear of people struggling," he added.

Mrs Adlam said once they had collected the blankets and hot water bottles they would invite social service agencies to take them to people in need.

"It's for anyone that needs them.

"There is no criteria for the distribution, we'll be handing them out on a trust basis," she said.

"We can't provide heaters but at least they aren't cold sitting in a blanket with a hot water bottle to stay warm.

"Shops in the Central Mall have a lot of water bottles on special for only $4."

She was also encouraging local banks and businesses to take part in collecting.

"If we can involve the community for the community it will have a snowball affect," she said.

Donations for the Blankets for All appeal can be dropped of at the Salvation Army Church at 271 Old Taupo Rd from 9am to 1pm during the week or at the Salvation Army Family Store on Pukuatua St.