Big Christmas Cheer Appeal boosts on the food and funds fronts

The great mountain of food goodies put together for the appeal by Karamu High School. Photo / Supplied

DROP-OFF POINTS

NAPIER: Hawke's Bay Today and Classic Hits at NZME House, Dickens St; Toyworld; Paper Plus Taradale; Alexander Construction; Mitre 10.

HASTINGS: Hastings Public Library; Flaxmere Library; Family Works; Hawke's Bay Today; Mitre 10; Havelock North Print and Design.

When the Christmas Cheer Appeal Hastings crew arrived to pick up the results of a "bring a food gift" campaign at Karamu High School they were astonished by what they came across.

It was almost a case of "we're going to need a bigger van".

With the preparation of the more than 500 parcels set to get under way shortly the boost from the staff and students at Karamu High was a real bonus.

"It was quite incredible — it filled our van to the brim," said Hastings cheer co-ordinator Jo Reyngoud.

Ginny Redwood was one of the teaching team who worked with principal Michael Leitch to steer the collection and said it underlined the school's approach of being proudly Hastings.

"It is all about supporting the community any time and in any way we can," she said.

"It is part of our culture — make a difference to the community."

Ms Redwood said the school had put together a similar cheer scheme last year but it had been on a smaller scale.

This year's was a giant, and she promised that next year would likely be even bigger.

The students and staff put together hundreds of items and went a step further by making specially decorated gift boxes to put them in.

Along with cans and boxes and bottles of goodies there were many specialty items, such as chocolates, to give the gift parcels a real Christmas spark.

The gift fund also got a boost from the good folk of the Patoka and District Garden Group, who put together a special cheer box filled with gifts and goodies.

So did the good crew at Cape Physio, who put together and dropped off a box of fine food items.

Meanwhile the cash fund received a great four-figure boost through the generosity of Conroy Removals.

The company is a long-time supporter of the cheer appeal and this year's festive fundraising was no exception as they called by with a $1000 donation.

Conroys have also never failed to step in when transporting of any items was required — a true community effort.

Getting in behind the community has always been the philosophy of service clubs such as the Lioness Club of Havelock, and those fine folk have put through a $600 donation for the cash side of the appeal.

Along with donations from HB Today, the Rotary Club of Ahuriri and an anonymous one of $200 the fund has edged up close to the $7500 mark now.

Previously acknowledged................$5068

Conroy Removals............................$1000

Lioness Club of Havelock North....... $600

HB Today..........................................$300

Rotary Club of Ahuriri.......................$250

Anonymous.......................................$200

Total...............................................$7418