Opinion: Generosity of Rotorua community is clear

If everyone gives even a little to our Christmas appeal it can make a big difference.

It has been just over a week since we launched this year's Christmas Appeal and already numerous schools, businesses, community groups and individuals have come forward, promising to help.

It's heartening and humbling to see how readily our community puts its hand up to support the Salvation Army, which in turn supports those in need, year after year.

Every edition of the Rotorua Daily Post and Rotorua Weekender has had one of these generous locals featured since the appeal was launched, and will continue to until the appeal ends on December 22.

With a goal to provide 200 families with Christmas hampers - 70 more than last year - the Salvation Army needs all the help it can get.

It's undeniable more people than ever are living in poverty.

You don't need to look far to see families living in cars, children going to school hungry, elderly with their children and grandchildren back under their roofs and volunteers working within the community struggling to keep up with demand for their services.

It can feel overwhelming. What can one person do to fix a problem so big that even the greatest minds haven't been able to crack it?

It may not fix the whole problem, but our annual appeal is proof that if everyone gives a little - even a single can of food - the impact can be huge, even life-changing for some.

For the team at the Rotorua Daily Post, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without our Christmas Appeal.

We will continue to highlight the kind and selfless people in our city, while reminding, cajoling and imploring others to get involved.

Now's the time to dig deep and prove Rotorua has no limit to its generosity and love.