Christmas Appeal: Last-minute extension helps Scope Cafe fundraiser fill staircase with cans

Scope Cafe owner Dave Fabling (left) and employee Eden Anderson with Rotorua Salvation Army volunteers Te Omeka Tahana, Chris McGoon, Daryl Manson and Anaiah Hoods. Photo / Supplied

Owner Dave Fabling has “no regrets” about his impulse decision to extend Scope Cafe’s Coffee for a Can fundraiser.

As the extra half day meant Fabling and his team “hit the target” they hoped for – to fill the cafe’s staircase with cans.

At Scope Cafe’s fundraiser, customers could swap a can or non-perishable item for a coffee of their choice.

The long-running event is part of the Rotorua Daily Post six-week Christmas Appeal, supported by The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM, which launched on November 15.

Scope’s event usually runs for a single day, but Fabling extended the deal, believing last Wednesday’s wet weather kept people away.

When donations continued to arrive on Thursday morning, Fabling said it confirmed the extension was the right call.

Customer Damon Skellams was among those pleased the fundraiser had been extended, turning up to the cafe that morning with a can of baked beans in hand.

Skellams, who works across the road from the Salvation Army, said he wanted to back the appeal – and reckoned the can-for-a-coffee trade-off was a good deal.

Fabling said it was “humbling” to see the support the appeal generated.

It was the first time Fabling had run the fundraiser, only taking over the Tūtānekai St cafe last Tuesday – the day before the event.

He described the experience as “personally very rewarding”.

Scope Cafe owner Dave Fabling says it was worth extending the cafe's fundraiser. Photo / Supplied

Salvation Army volunteers collected the items once the fundraiser wrapped, and Fabling said they were “extremely thankful” for the support.

The volunteers were greeted with a hot drink – on the house.

Rotorua Salvation Army community ministries manager Darnielle Hoods said the organisation appreciated Scope Cafe’s contribution to this year’s appeal.

“We are so grateful”, Hoods said.

Fabling said running the fundraiser in his first week of ownership made for a busy start, but one he was glad to be part of.

Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.