Christmas will come early today for more than 100 needy Bay children invited to attend the annual Santa Carrus Party.
The event, to be held at Yatton Park is organised by Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services with support from property developer and philanthropist Paul Adams.
It aims to provide some festive cheer for struggling Bay families, where bubbles would float through air and Santa would light up the faces of about 130 children.
More than 80 bikes will be gifted to needy and homeless children.
Other children will be able to unwrap Christmas presents.
Everybody would then celebrate the day together with a meal.
Tommy Wilson, of Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services, said money had been raised for about 60 helmets but more were needed. They aimed to gift 100 bikes and helmets.
"Last year we gave away one bike, this year we will give away about 100. The kids will remember it for the rest of their lives."
Mr Wilson said it was a really nice feeling to be able to sprinkle a bit of joy in the weeks leading up to what could be a really stressful time for some families.
"Especially for us here, we see so much sadness every day and for my staff this is the one time they get to be around happiness.
"We have had 30 people here helping us get prepared food this. They have come from off the streets and are previous clients, all helping us wrapping presents, making gift hampers and cutting out stars. It just wonderful to be around happiness. It's a way to re-charge the batteries."
Mr Wilson said he set up the Christmas do for his staff so they could have a nice time with the people they normally worked with in really sad circumstances.
"Good news and happy times travels in communities as quick as bad news does."
The trust would also able to give away six Marley - NZ All Stars tickets on the day too.
Community champion recognised:
Mihi Dahm, 39, and her six children were the first guests of Whare Tauranga when it opened earlier this year.
The Tauranga mum said she had been living in her Gate pa rental for two and half years when the owners decided to sell the house.
She was unable to find a house before her 90-day notice period was over and was facing the prospect of being homeless.
After 12 weeks staying in Whare Tauranga she was able to secure a permanent residence with Housing New Zealand and a job with Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services.
"I was really grateful, we had no where else to go. We had no family here in Tauranga being able to move into that home was a real blessing. My kids and I had somewhere to stay," she told the Bay of Plenty Times.
Today, she will receive The Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services Community Champion Award.
Tommy Wilson, of Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services, said the award was a way to recognise those who had become champions in their own communities.