As the Christmas Cheer Appeal wraps up for another year a couple of great last-minute donations have given it a real boost.
As they did for last year's appeal, the Hastings and Napier-based Grow Human Resources company stepped up to the mark big-time and put through a $2000 donation which pushed the crucial cash fund, which is used to help pay for the huge amount of foodstuffs needed for the hundreds of cheer parcels, well into five figures.
The company is a specialist human resources consultancy dedicated to employers, their managers and in-house human resources and health and safety specialists who are dedicated to doing things for their communities.
With their support for the cheer appeal they have certainly done that.
There were also a great donation from the Spirit of Napier Lions who put together $500.
They are annual supporters of the appeal which will help more than 3000 less fortunate people across the twin cities enjoy a great Christmas.
The Rotary Club of Napier is also an annual backer of the appeal and they came through with a $250 donation, while Havelock North Intermediate School also showed their support with a $200 donation.
Crombie Lockwood are another community-focused firm who annually do their bit for the appeal and this year collected up $280.
There has also been a musical touch to the appeal this year, from another group of annual supporters in the form of the Hawke's Bay Ukulele Underground.
These tuneful folk went out and did a spot of cheery busking and came through with $105.
The gift fund also got a late boost with a Napier lady calling by with a bag of beautifully wrapped gifts while another lady popped in with a great Star Wars toy and a fishing rod which will give one youngster a more special than usual Christmas Day.
It has been another great Christmas Cheer Appeal with the community really getting together to assist those who need some festive support at this time of the year.
Previously acknowledged...........................$8912
Grow Human Resources Ltd.......................$2000
Spirit of Napier Lions..................................$500
Havelock North Intermediate.......................$200
Crombie Lockwood.......................................$280
Rotary Club of Napier.................................$250
HB Ukelele Underground............................$105
Anonymous....................................................$30
Total.......................................................$12,277