Two Rotorua education centres have donated money won in the 2010 Christmas Lights Spectacular to quake-ravaged Christchurch victims.
Thirty Rotorua families took part in the Rotorua McDowell's Professional Real Estate competition, lighting up their homes throughout the festive season.
Twenty winners got the chance of donating their $250 prize money to local
schools of their choice.
Tiaki Early Learning Centre donated their winnings to St Albans Day Care in Christchurch while Lynmore School gifted their $250 to the Red Cross Appeal for victims.
Lynmore School pupils have already collected and given 1200 cans of food to Red Cross for victims and hope to raise $1000 today as children go to school wearing red and black for mufti-day.
Principal Roger Dempster said children at his school were keen to support Christchurch.
"This is something all New Zealanders should be getting behind," he said.
"It's important for the children to show they care."
Tiaki Early Learning Centre owner/teacher Gayle Bell said the centre decided to "adopt" St Albans Day Care after the older children started arriving and talking about what they had witnessed on television about the tragedy.
Her brother, Brad Graham, lives in Christchurch and she has been sharing his story with them.
"It has helped make it real for them," she said.
"Lots of them know someone or of someone who has been affected."
Centre owner Viv Fisk said they had adopted the Christchurch day care centre in an effort to help.
"The children have been really interested and this has helped them connect with the people of Christchurch," she said.
Event organiser Kylee Douglas said the lights spectacular was one way to support the community.
Twenty winners were picked from 30 entries in the competition with the winner choosing a school in the area to receive $250 each.
Westbrook School won four entries this year and will receive $1000 instead of $250.
Every year hundreds of people visit each home light up for the contest.
