ROSALEEN MACBRAYNE finds a gift-giving campaign in Te Puke that has grown from a small beginning.
TE PUKE - Shauntaz Bryers knows what it's like to go without.
With his father on a disability benefit, money for his family is always tight, so for the past three years they have joined others for the annual Christmas dinner put on by the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Last year, Shauntaz, who turned 5 in February, was so excited when opening the present the society provided that he fell off his chair and split the front of his head open.
St Vincent de Paul volunteers took him to Tauranga Hospital and made sure his parents, who do not own a car, were given transport home again.
Their kindness stuck in Shauntaz's mind and he decided he would like to help the society help others enjoy some extras this Christmas.
His parents, Keri and Santina, supported him and wrote letters seeking donations of food and gifts from national and local businesses. A few turned down the request, but some had a change of heart as publicity for the family's appeal mounted. Contributions have ranged from generous supplies of goods to $5 from a pensioner.
The project has taken over the Bryers' small, rented flat. They have accepted the offer of a storage shed and will be helped by the Te Puke fire brigade (which has donated free fire alarms) to deliver their Christmas cheer tomorrow.
Shauntaz's mother has made him a Santa suit to wear when he hands out hampers to 10 families of schoolmates and 40 parcels for the St Vincent de Paul Society to distribute.
Residents of local rest-homes will get cakes, chocolate and flowers.
Santa's little helper has been sorely tempted by some of the goodies he has wrapped for others, but has not kept as much as a lolly for himself.
"They are for the people," he says.
The kohanga reo he attended did not want to lose him last year, because he was so good with all the smaller children.
But his taste of fame has a downside. Some bigger boys, who recognised him from a newspaper photograph, beat him up at the school bus-stop and stole his lunch.
"He would have given it to them if only they had asked," said Mr Bryers.
"There is quite a lot of poverty in Te Puke that isn't obvious."
Shauntaz knows the jolly old man in the red needs people, like parents, to help cope with his workload.
Despite being a chronic asthmatic, he loves sports and fancies a child-sized quad bike for Christmas, although he won't be too bothered if he gets something else instead - a bike is too expensive to be on his parents' shopping list.
Last year he was delighted with a plastic toy guitar and a water gun.
St Vincent de Paul has again invited the Bryers to its annual dinner, held before Christmas Day. On the big day itself, the family plan a backyard barbecue, content in the knowledge that they have brought smiles to quite a few faces.
Having seen what has come from his son's efforts, Mr Bryers is optimistic for the future. After this year's success, he says, who knows how big next year's campaign will be?
Santa's little helper taps town's pockets
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