The Rotorua Youth Centre is overflowing with the generosity shown to the Vanuatu victims of Cyclone Pam.
Thousands of items of clothing, toys and books, mainly for young people, have been dropped off since the centre started an appeal this week to help the Pacific nation which was ravaged by the tropical cyclone.
Rotorua Youth Centre activity and event co-ordinator Alan Solomon said they'd had a constant stream of people wanting to help. Today is the last day donations are being accepted as they get boxed up and sent to Auckland to be loaded on a shipping container bound for Vanuatu next week.
"One word, overwhelming. It's been totally overwhelming. I got 10 boxes from Pak'nSave thinking that would be enough [for the donations] and not expecting it to explode, which is what it has done," Mr Solomon said.
"We will have trailer-loads coming from Whakatane and Taupo and have had calls from Wellington."
Donated items have included new clothing for babies through to teenagers, tents, portable cots, shoes and car seats.
Mr Solomon said many donating were paying forward kindness once shown to them.
"One lady was in the Australian bushfires and lost everything, her community helped her with clothing and household goods and she's been in twice to drop things off to us," he said.
"We've also had help from Hospice and Rotorua Childcare, people from the Maori Party and Dressed for Success. We've had an 80-year-old nan donating crochet knitted blankets."
Mr Solomon said they were still looking for volunteers to help pack the clothes into boxes.
Corinne Manuake, whose mother-in-law lost her house in the cyclone, said: "The response from everyone has been overwhelming. There are just too many people to thank."
Mrs Manuake said Ngongotaha School had donated two rooms full of goods.
"I'm just blown away. It makes me proud to be in this beautiful community."
Financial donations are also needed to help pay for the cost of shipping of the container, organised by the Hamilton New Life church. Items and money can be dropped off at the Rotorua Youth Centre on 6 Te Ngae Rd today from 10am to 6pm. A truck is also needed to take the boxes to Auckland. If anyone can help, call the centre on (07) 343 1012.