Needy Bay kids gifted Stoney Creek winter clothing packs

When Brent and Juanita McConnell saw some children in their neighbourhood walking to school shoeless and without warm clothing last winter it sparked them into action.

The Greerton couple, who own hunting gear maker Stoney Creek, gave the children some of the clothing line from their truck to warm them up.

Mr McConnell said he and his wife also filled a ute and drove around several nearby streets, which sparked the idea they could do a lot more good in their community.

This winter Stoney Creek is launching a new initiative called Warm Up the Streets in partnership with Mount Maunganui's Curate Church.

This month, 2500 packs of Stoney Creek's clothing line from children's sizes 2 to 14 will be distributed to needy children within the Bay of Plenty.

Each pack contains a fleece beanie, bush tee, and trackpants.

Mr McConnell said each gift pack would also be labelled with the recipient's name and the words "We believe in you".

Packs would distributed as far afield as Whakatane and Edgecumbe, with local charities helping to find those most in need, he said.

"People are waking up every day cold. Not just at school, but at home," Mr McConnell said.

"To do something in a significant way in the Bay, we needed to work with good people that had the ability to connect with those most in need. That's the beauty of Curate.

"They're a great partner to administer and distribute our products . . . They're a trusted group of people within the community, with great relationships and networks that can get these packs out to where they are most needed."

A humble Mr McConnell said he would love to also see other local business owners "use what is in their hands" to make a difference in the community.

"There is only one thing more precious than our time, and that is who we spend it on. And there is no better time than now."

Mount Maunganui councillor Leanne Brown said this initiative was another reminder to her that Tauranga was an amazing community with wonderful, caring and generous people.

"What an amazing family and such a lovely, cool, fabulous idea," she said.

Mrs Brown said there were so many people living in adversity, but also hundreds of others who wanted to do something to help but were not sure how to go about it.

The Warm Up the Streets initiative was a "superb" vehicle to help children in need through well-established and trusted connections, she said.

Any who can sponsor a pack for $20 should call Curate Church on 07 572 0998.