Community spirit boosts Cheer appeal past $16,000

Another full bin of goodies collected at Napier's Mega Mitre 10 store, along with a fine boost to the cash appeal. Photo / Duncan Brown

A two-week "make a donation to the Christmas Cheer Appeal" programme staged by Mega Mitre 10 staff at their Napier and Hastings stores has resulted in a great boost for the cash fund which has soared past the $16,000 mark.

"It's gone pretty good," advertising and events co-ordinator Pip George said, adding the company was committed to being an annual supporter of the appeal.

"Because it is for the community, so hopefully this will make a difference."

Just over $1300 was collected in the Napier store while $510 was collected in Hastings.
Donation tins were placed at the stores' check-outs to give shoppers the opportunity to drop a few coins into - and in many cases a few notes.

As well, Mitre 10 Mega set up large bins for people to drop gifts into, and they too filled up nicely.

Before checking on the bins again yesterday morning Ms George said the bins at both stores had already been cleared twice as they filled up.

After making a quick check yesterday she said "make that three times - they're chocka again".

The two-week collections wrapped up yesterday after being launched on December 5 and Ms George said staff had embraced it and were determined to do their bit for the appeal.

As did the staff at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

They all came up with an item to put in the special wheelbarrow the council provided and it was then raffled.

That resulted in $640 being donated to the cheer appeal.

"We had a fantastic response from everyone," council communications specialist Helen Shea said.

The Hastings Golf Club also staged a collection from members and the result was a great box of assorted food items.

The volunteers who look after the Hastings collection and sorting were delighted to call into the Hastings office of Hawke's Bay Today where a large amount of wonderful gifts and toys had been donated and dropped off by First Response.

They also received some great presents and Christmas goodies from St Matthews and St Lukes in Havelock North.

"There are some extremely generous people in our community," Hastings appeal co-ordinator Jo Reyngoud said.

As they have done in the past appeals, Ilene, Jean and Louise Roberts put together some beautifully wrapped packets of home-made shortbread and lollies.

Magoos Soap dropped off some fine soaps as well as a cash donation of $60.

The gift piles were added to by a man who arrived at the Napier office of Hawke's Bay Today with a large bag of assorted goodies, including boy toys for kids, and a young lady who called by with a carton of about a dozen wrapped gifts for children, teens and older people.

The appeal has really surged over the past week and is set to wrap up tomorrow.

Donations

Previously acknowledged.......................$13,868

Mega Mitre 10 check-out collections.......$1819

Hawke's Bay Regional Council staff............$640

Magoos Soaps.............................................$60

Anonymous.................................................$50

Napier counter tin........................................$31

Total......................................................$16,468