Papamoa locals get winter warm-up

Papamoa Warehouse sales manager Matt Orsborn has supervised the packing of a trailer full of "winter warmers" for the benefit of Beachaven Anglican Care clients. Family advocate Gale Gordon, centre, and counsellor Naarah Simpson collected the trailer last Wednesday, to deliver the goods to needy families.

Papamoa's Beachaven Community House received $22,500 from last year's police auction and has decided to warm up local families with some of the money.

Winter warmers including duvets, underlays, pillows, hats, scarves, ponchos, gloves and socks are among about $5000 worth of goods Beachaven has purchased from The Warehouse, Papamoa, to spread warmth in the coldest months of the year.

Beachaven is an Anglican Care Waiapu facility which offers support to family groups. Members of activity groups run from the house will be each given a gift, says family advocate Gale Gordon.

Every child on the books will receive a polar fleece blanket and a new pillow.

"Some of these children have very little to call their own. We know this will make a difference to their lives," said Mrs Gordon.

Manager of The Warehouse store in Papamoa, Matt Orsborn, gave the community house a generous 30 per cent discount.

"We are grateful to Matt Orsborn, for generously helping us to help others," said Mrs Gordon.
In all 13 families, 35 adults and 30 children will benefit from the generosity of Beachaven's staff to personally help people cope with winter chills.

Some of the rest of the money from the police auction has been used to upgrade office and lounge furnishings at the house.

Mrs Gordon said British food importing firm Pommies, based at Reynolds Place, Papamoa, had donated goods past their "Best Before" date to be included in gift parcels for families.