Wow! Christmas Appeal raises $82,000 worth of goods

The hampers have been delivered, the presents wrapped, the foodbank restocked and the final tally counted in the Rotorua Daily Post's most successful Christmas Appeal yet.

This year the Rotorua Daily Post teamed up with the Salvation Army and Rotorua police to collect an incredible $82,080 worth of food and gifts for the foodbank.

Earlier this week the Rotorua police, under the keen supervision of Constable Marc van Krieken, delivered 500 boxes containing food, presents and toys to 200 Rotorua families - 70 more than last year.

"I never want to see another can again, at least until next year," van Krieken said.

"It has been incredibly humbling to spend time with these families.

"Now I am ready to spend Christmas with my own."

For the Overbye family, the Christmas Appeal has meant a lot of hard work and even Levi, 12, Joel, 11, Ezra, 9, and Micah, 6, have been involved in the collecting, organising, packing and unpacking.

Kylie Overbye, Constable Marc Van Krieken, The Hits local host Paul Hickey, Ralph Overbye and Kat Hicks celebrate the end of the Christmas Appeal. Photo/Stephen Parker

Salvation Army Rotorua lieutenant Kylie Overbye said the boys had been "very, very patient" with the long hours that went into the appeal.

"Rotorua has just wowed me all over again, with their generosity and the joy they get from giving.

"It has been a fantastic appeal."

She said working with the police had been a huge blessing.

"Having their team come on board has just been amazing and we were able to reach a much wider group in the community.

"There are so many people who have been working really hard behind the scenes and just doing so much. They are the ones who really make it happen."

Ralph Overbye said he was completely lost for words, but was looking forward to getting away on a family camping trip in the new year.

Rotorua Daily Post deputy editor Katie Holland said it was an outstanding result that would hopefully make Christmas a bit easier for many families in the community.

She said each year the community outdid itself when it came to the appeal, with this year's total smashing last year's haul of just over $55,000.

"Thank you to everyone who contributed, whether it was one can of food or hundreds, it all makes a difference."

When she saw the final tally, all The Hits brand engagement manager Kat Hicks could say was "wow".

"I am actually speechless, it's just an amazing result," she said.

"Everyone has been so generous and just so giving."

The Hits local host Paul Hickey said it showed "what a great community Rotorua is".

"It's always so rewarding to do something that people are so supportive of."

This year's appeal launched on November 11 and closed yesterday. However it's not too late to give, with the foodbank always grateful for donations.