But what has stood out most has been not just what is being donated, but who is driving it.
Kellow said parents dropping off toys often told him it was their child who wanted to donate.
“It’s really heart-warming to hear that children want to share.”
While donations have been slower than hoped, Kellow said the response reflected a community balancing generosity with financial pressure.
Rotorua’s close-knit nature meant hardship was easily felt, he said, and when one whānau struggled, the effects were rarely contained to just one household.
The toy drive aimed to ease that pressure and bring moments of joy into homes at a time that could otherwise be stressful.
The partnership with Love Soup grew from a simple conversation about how best to support local families at Christmas.
Food was always in demand, but Kellow said toys played a special role during the festive season, sometimes becoming the only gift a child received all year.
Supporting practical, locally driven initiatives was core to MTF Rotorua’s involvement in the community, particularly at Christmas, he said.
Love Soup “truly are a remarkable organisation that manages to do wonders with such limited resources”, he said.
The team “seem to stretch the impossible”.
Growing up in a small town where money was tight, he said Christmas was still made special, a memory that shaped his desire to give back.
The toy drive continues until December 12, with donations accepted at MTF Rotorua, 1066 Whakaue St.
Love Soup is seeking toys for children of all ages, from babies through to teenagers.
Even a small gift, Kellow said, could make a big difference.
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.
