Gifts overflowing in Masterton

The true spirit of Christmas is evident in Masterton this festive season, with hundreds of toys given to ensure children, who would have woken to nothing under the tree, will be unwrapping presents with smiles on their faces come Christmas morning.

This week, staff from the Salvation Army have been picking up presents collected by various businesses throughout town in the lead-up to Christmas to be given to needy families.

When the Times-Age arrived at the Salvation Army to check out the mountain of gifts donated, the room was packed with toys, jewellery, bathroom products, books, electronic games and board games.

Lieutenant Jess Bishop said she was blown away by the generosity of the community.

"It's absolutely stunning. It's just so wonderful to see peoples' hearts, thinking of others. It's really touching," she said.

For the past 20 years, Sandy Toki has been helping pack up Christmas parcels for needy families. She was excited to see so many gifts given this year.

"Just look at it all. It just gets better and better every year. It's great that so many people get behind this."

It's difficult for her to describe the feeling she gets when she walks into a home where there are no signs of festive cheer and the parents are given a box of toys and food.

"It's just beautiful ... you can't describe it," she said.

Lieutenant Daryn Bishop said 70 of the most needy families in the region, identified by community agencies, will be given a box of age appropriate toys and food, which had all been donated by businesses and individuals in the spirit of Christmas.

He is delighted by the community support. People have not only given toys, many have been dropping off fresh baking, cash, frozen chickens and festive food, Mr Bishop said.

"It's awesome, Absolutely fantastic," he said. "People are just turning up with gifts and wrapping paper, donations of money and food. It's the true spirit of Christmas. It's so neat for the kids and it takes the pressure off the parents."