Gifted students show the essence of giving

SELFLESS EFFORT: Students from the Rotorua Gifted Kids programme with the 78 gifts they donated to the Salvation Army. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

The children in the Rotorua Gifted Kids programme have mastered the art of giving this Christmas.

The group of 45 kids have done chores to raise money to buy nearly 80 gifts which they have donated to the Salvation Army.

"We wanted them to have to do something to earn the money for the gifts, not just ask for it," lead teacher Sue Bufton said.

The children did regular house chores like vacuuming and cleaning windows, and some helped their parents milk cows or acted as a rousey.

The Gifted Kids Programme is composed of students from schools all over the district.

Autumn Sigley, 9, from Kawaha Point Primary School, bought or made an impressive 15 presents from the money she got doing chores for family friends.

"Instead of just thinking about what you are getting, think about what you are giving to someone else," she said.

Georgia Perret, 9, from Malfroy School, cleaned windows and vacuumed to earn money for her gifts.

All the children labelled the gifts with the gender and age group it would appeal to.

The children said they had not really thought about the many people who couldn't afford gifts for Christmas, and it would be good if other groups of schools donated to the Salvation Army.

Salvation Army captain Brian Martin picked up the gifts yesterday.

"It's huge, I thought it would be a couple of armfuls I would carry to the car.

"The number of the needy has been increasing over recent years but it is great that there's organisations and other groups that contribute," he said.

Donations to the Christmas Appeal can be made at our Hinemoa St office between 8am and 5pm on weekdays. People can donate money or non-perishable food. Food donations can also be made at the Salvation Army's Community Ministries at Community House on Haupapa St.