Huge response to toy drive

Rotorua Hyundai's Bruce Lowe, left, Major Rex Rees, and Rachel Pearce with the assortment of toys donated to the Salvation Army, some of which were new. Photo / Paul Mitchell

A Rotorua car dealership has got into the Christmas spirit by donating toys to the Salvation Army.

Rotorua Hyundai's donation was the result of a month-long drive promoted on its Facebook page.

It started when owners Rachel Pearce and her husband, Bruce Lowe, were clearing out their children's old toys. Ms Pearce decided to donate them to the Salvation Army, but "one little box didn't really seem like enough. So I figured let's do something on social media and set up a toy drive."

More than 3000 people viewed the initial post, and it was shared widely. Ms Pearce said she was proud of their customers, and appreciated everyone getting behind the drive.

"A little bit from each person goes a long way."

The drive received so many donations many of them had to be moved from the shop floor display into the parts storage room. Among the second-hand toys, books, and puzzles there were even a few new toys donated, a stand-out was a Thomas the Tank Engine bike in near perfect condition.

This Christmas was only the second since the dealership opened, and it is looking to make the toy drive an annual event.

When Ms Pearce's daughter started eyeing up a toy collected for the drive she had to explain what they were doing, a couple of times.

"She didn't understand why the other kids couldn't just go to the shop."

Ms Pearce said it was a good chance to teach her children about the spirit of Christmas.

"Just because they're kids doesn't mean they should take things for granted, hopefully they'll learn that if they see something unfair they can do something about it."

The donation drop-off was co-ordinated by Salvation Army Major Rex Rees, as part of a team putting together Christmas hampers, and sorting donations. He said December was always a busy time of year.

"Groups and companies are calling us out of the blue to arrange drop-offs and donations. We really appreciate the business community getting behind us."

This year, the Salvation Army is bundling in the donated toys with the usual food hampers. "We want to make sure all the children and their families get presents."