Still time to make Christmas special for those in need

Kyra Dawson at the foodbank. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

As a child my family went through a lot of hard times where we had to rely on the
generosity of others, especially at Christmas time.

I remember my Mum crying one Christmas when I was 7 because she didn't have enough money to give my three siblings and I Christmas presents or a Christmas dinner.

My dad had been made redundant and we had moved to a new town for the fifth time since I had been born to start over. The local church heard of our hardship and brought us hampers of food and I remember thinking it was the best Christmas ever.

This past month, as part of the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Salvation Army Foodbank, I have been reporting on the generosity of people from all over Rotorua and it has blown me away.

Because of this, I headed down to the foodbank this week to see if there was any way I could help out. I met several other volunteers who are there quite regularly; they are wonderful giving people who put me to work.

Within five minutes of being there a family of three came in and we had to put together a hamper.

We took out six bags full of goodies and when the little girl saw how much there was she said "wow" and a big smile spread across her face. I was put on phone duty for the morning and I had one call that stood out, a young mum ringing to see if she was on the list for the Christmas hampers as she had nothing to give her preschool son.

Unfortunately it was too late to get on the list, as there is a limited amount of toys at the foodbank.

She was told by the manager that she was welcome to come and grab a food parcel, but unfortunately it was too late to organise toys for her son. This brought me back down to earth, while it's great that some families are being taken care of there is still not enough for everyone.

Because it is Christmas and because there are families in need, please, don't be shy, get on down to the foodbank and drop off a toy or some non-perishable food or volunteer some of your time.

Thank you for your generosity this far Rotorua and Merry Christmas.

Make your donations of non-perishable food at the Rotorua Daily Post office: 1143 Hinemoa St or the Salvation Army's Community Ministries, 1115 Haupapa St. You can also donatemoney at BNZ: The Salvation Army Rotorua 02-0416-0024233-00. If any organisations, schools or individuals are organising a fundraising event, please let us know by emailing news@dailypost.co.nz or contacting reporter Kyra Dawson on (07) 349 7477