DROP-OFF POINTS
NAPIER: Hawke's Bay Today and Classic Hits at NZME House, Dickens St; Toyworld; Paper Plus Taradale; Alexander Construction; Mitre 10.
HASTINGS: Hastings Public Library; Flaxmere Library; Family Works; Hawke's Bay Today; Mitre 10; Havelock North Print and Design.
The traditional end of year carol service at Lindisfarne College in Hastings was another huge success this year.
It was staged last Wednesday evening and drew about 800 students, teachers, families and friends of the college and was a time for fine voices and a time to recognise that for many folk in the community Christmas can be a tough time.
For more than 10 years college chaplain Warren Fortune has overseen the concert in terms of its being a means to help out those in the community.
Those attending are asked to take along something for the many food and gift parcels which will be prepared for the Christmas Cheer Appeal, and as it has been for the past decade it was another great evening of giving.
"We ended up with about 30 boxes of food goodies," Mr Fortune said.
"Everybody pitched in — it was great to see the food pile growing as people arrived for the service."
Part of the college's philosophy was service to the community and Mr Fortune said the students embraced that.
"They know some people are struggling out there and see this as a way they can help."
For four of the students the helping went a bit further a couple of days after the service as they happily volunteered to help load and later unload a large trailer filled with the food cartons.
Hastings cheer coordinator Jo Reyngoud was again delighted with the generosity of the college crew.
Which looks well set to continue.
"As long as I'm here we'll keep doing it," Mr Fortune said with a smile.
The folk at Flaxmere Health also got into the giving spirit and put together and donated a great gift of goodies.
As did the Taradale RSA Concert Party.
At Christmas time they usually give each other a small gift but decided this year to give something for the cheer appeal — and the result was two large boxes of beautifully wrapped gifts for all ages.
On the cash front the appeal received a $400 boost from the Lions Club of Hastings Host — the club is an annual supporter of the appeal, and along with a $100 donation from Waipukurau Construction and an anonymous donation of $50 the fund has gone past the $5000 mark.
The appeal runs until December 20 and will assist more than 3500 individuals across the twin cities.
Previously acknowledged.........$4518
Lions Club of Hastings Host.......$400
Waipukurau Construction...........$100
Anonymous..................................$50
Total........................................$5068