Hawke's Bay's 'incredibly generous' Women's Refuge donations

Women's Refuge volunteer and donations coordinator Julia McPherson receiving donations from Toitoi presenter services community manager Daniel Betty. Photo / Warren Buckland

It's the time of year when people exchange gifts, and many in the community have also been "incredibly generous" in giving to the Napier and Hastings Women's Refuge.

Napier and Hastings Women's Refuge fundraiser Bronwyn Harman said the community has been "incredibly generous" this year in donating gifts, toys, personal items and food to be given out to the families Women's Refuge works with.

"People at this time of year acknowledge and understand that Christmas is the time for families, so they do tend to support us.

The number of families they work with changes but there has been about 30 per cent more families this year after Covid-19 she said.

Women's Refuge volunteer and donations coordinator Julia McPherson said they wouldn't be able to provide what they do without the help from the public.

"We are very grateful that in a time like this where it has been more difficult for people to give, they've still thought about us and given what they can."

Packs which have gifts for the family members, wrapping paper and tape, Christmas treats such as decorations and food will be given out.

The donations make a difference for those that receive them, enabling them to have a Christmas day.

"I wish you could see the looks on the mums' faces when we give them the gifts for their family.

"The thing we've heard more than anything else is that it tells them that actually people care, which is just lovely," McPherson said.

Gifts are donated unwrapped so mothers can wrap them and "provide Christmas for their children".

More than 50 volunteers are working at this time of year to pack and deliver the donations.

The volunteers "get such lovely feedback" from the "appreciative" families who receive donations.

One of many organisations which has collected donations for the Women's Refuge is Toitoi – Hawke's Bay Arts & Events centre who asked the community to donate on entry to their Santa's Grotto.

Toitoi presenter services community manager Daniel Betty said handing over the donations to Women's Refuge was a "humbling experience".

The community responded well, giving donations - with more than half of the schools who attended bringing boxes of gifts, books and food.

A Holden Commodore was filled to the brim with donations – boot, back seats and floor space with only room for Betty in the driver's seat.