Craggy Range brand manager Venita Simcox (front) said the children's Christmas initiative hopes to ensure every child in Hawke's Bay gets a Christmas gift. Photo Paul Taylor
Craggy Range brand manager Venita Simcox (front) said the children's Christmas initiative hopes to ensure every child in Hawke's Bay gets a Christmas gift. Photo Paul Taylor
Craggy Range Winery is set to ensure every child in Hawke's Bay receives a gift at Christmas.
On Wednesday it kicked off its own Christmas, with a tree shooting up in the winery's barrel hall.
Next Friday about 200 volunteers will descend on the winery, come together and pack roughly5000 Santa Sacks.
Four years ago the winery started the A Children's Christmas Initiative, and this year it will have packed more than 15,000 sacks since the launch.
Brand manager Venita Simcox said the winery had "always been a charitable company and they wanted to do more."
After speaking with those more heavily involved in charity, the children's initiative came up. "We realised that our impact could be more significant," Simcox said.
"As a business, we have very long term ambitions, and as part of that, we're committed to making a positive difference in our community."
Silver Fern Sports and Pass it Forward donate every year by matching the number of sports balls Craggy Range orders, donating over 2000 each year.
ZURU, one of the world's fastest-growing toy companies founded in New Zealand, has donated "a great selection of toys that the kids will love."
This year the winery wanted to make sure kids have the gear they need to learn essential skills and stay water-safe this summer.
Craggy Range crew kicked off the Christmas month by decorating their iconic barrel hall Christmas tree in preparation for the Santa sack packing event next week. Photo / Paul Taylor
"We have a pretty good idea based on previous years as to how many children may need our help. We then up that a bit, just to be sure."
Fire and Emergency NZ teams from across Hawke's Bay, along with local police, charities, friends and family will come together and "get in and do the hard yards", packing the sacks.
"We've been overwhelmed with the support of our community."
Craggy Range had a fun children's book published called Fox in Space by Jac lang, which can be purchased at the cellar door for $20, with all proceeds going towards the initiative.
