Christmas ‘angels’ hard at work

Awhina Christmas Angels, from left, Simone Gibson, Tracey Grimwood, Maria Tapara and Ngamata Hartung. Photo: Dan Hutchinson

The ‘Awhina Christmas Angels’ have been hard at work this week sorting hundreds of donated Christmas presents to give to children all over the district.

By Dan Hutchinson

The Awhina Society is Taupō Women’s Refuge and the Taupō Community Foodbank under one roof and one of their jobs each year is to coordinate the donation of presents.

Awhina Society Trust general manager Simone Gibson says they get referrals from social agencies in the district, about who might need a present at Christmas, the angels make up the parcels and send them onto those agencies to deliver them in person.

“They're all named for each child and with an age on them. So, we pack them for each child.”

First Credit Union has sponsored them for the 24 years it has been going and Ray White Real Estate and Waiora House are the main drop-off points for donations.

This year they have also had support from MBP Financial Advisors and Taupō Toyota and teamed up with More FM’s Cram The Van initiative.

Normally they would have 200-250 referrals but this year that looks like being over 400 because of the tough economic times this year.

Givers in the community have matched this demand and this week about 10 people have been busy packaging up parcels.

“So, we've just been collecting donations for the whole month of November, and it's culminated in this amazing generosity of the community just to donate gifts for children.

“We've definitely put the call out to say, hey, we've got more referrals, you know, please be a little bit more generous. And the Cram the Van with More FM really helped a lot, along with that as well.”

She says they seemingly never run out of presents.

“It just keeps coming, so yeah, we're just pretty much filling bags with books, beach towels, activities.

“There's definitely a demand out there. You know, times are really tough for families and so it's nice to be able to just bless the families with a little bit extra, you know.”

Recommendations for presents include things like toys for the lake like boogie boards, water toys, beach towels, sun hats.

Books are also a good present because they are something children can read or be read to.

“So that's a family connection that can be established.”

Someone has been busy making wooden toys, while residents at Summerset Retirement Village have been doing knitted toys and dolls.

“We've got Kiwi Books who give us books every year. We've got soft toys, teddy bears, clothing, all sorts, something for everybody, so it's really awesome.”

She says there is no particular skill you need to have to make up the packages, and those involve range from teenagers to those in their 80’s.

“The knack is that you have a heart because … it's a really special feeling when you're packing a parcel for a child and you're thinking about that child.”

The collection has finished but people can still donate to a charity of their choice because demand this year is much greater than usual.