A call-out to schools to make "trauma teddies" for children needing emergency care has prompted community donations of new and recycled bears.
"We find anonymous donations of sanitised bears on the doorstep and an insurance company has donated a number of new ones."
As well as the ambulance service, St John offers first-aid training, medical alarms, youth training, a caring-caller service and health shuttles.
Judith Munn co-ordinates the shuttle service and says it is busy - up to 25 passengers use it every week and many travel to Palmerston North for hospital appointments.
Specially trained drivers collect passengers from their homes and return them after their appointments.
The service is free, though passengers are asked to make a donation towards costs if they can.
"We started the service here three years ago and we had one vehicle that we borrowed from another area.
"Now we have our own two vehicles, one is about 18 months old and the other is brand new after we fundraised for it."
The St John annual appeal in April was well supported and a book sale in Wanganui last weekend raised $3000.
Area committee deputy chairwoman Jennifer Burkett said: "Even though the weather was awful, we still had a good turnout and made a lot of sales".
St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90 per cent of the country and is the land's largest primary healthcare provider.
St John national chief executive Peter Bradley called the poll result "humbling".
"Not only do Kiwis place a high value on how we care for them in the community, but they trust St John to use public contributions wisely to help treat and benefit them - a trust we never take for granted," he said.