Staff from Te Rūnanga-a-Iwi o Ngāpuhi are joining forces with community groups and businesses to share the Christmas spirit with less fortunate whānau and tamariki.
Receptionist at the Rūnanga, Karen Kākā says, “There are so many whānau out there struggling to make ends meet and it’s often the tamariki who don’t get to enjoy Christmas. For me that was wrong, no child should go without christmas.”
The idea that 'no child should ever go without Christmas' was brought to Kaikohe by Karen Kākā, Merle Stirling and Sarah Quinn.
Quinn, who works at the Kaikohe Caltex Service Station says, “The response has been overwhelming, with several businesses and groups contributing, including Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Kaikohe business people and businesses Eric Rush (New World Kaikohe), ASB, The Warehouse, Coca Cola, Bid Vest, Online Distribution, Simon Parker, Frucor, Beaver and Orchards Griffins."
Initially, the plan was to set up a wishing tree at the Caltex station in Kaikohe, where people could drop off koha for families, but due to the communities' generosity, more than 40 food hampers, toys and donations are being received.
“We hope this provides an early Christmas surprise for them, says Stirling. We are still accepting donations to help our local tamariki and whānau and we’ll do it again next Christmas and hope more people help us ensure no kid goes without Christmas”.
Hampers will be delivered to whānau tomorrow by social workers from Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services.