Community Shows Christmas Spirit
Daniel and Diana Dale of Parakai Four Square; Juliet from Parakai Kindergarten delivering toys for children in need.
2020 has been a remarkable year, one of challenge and adaptability, hardship and compassion.
As some people have struggled with job losses and drops in income, others have stepped up with donations and support. We’ve seen it with the formation of the Kai Collective and we’re seeing it again with our annual Christmas Hamper Drive.
For almost ten years the organisation, formerly known as Helensville Women & Family Centre, has created hampers for families in need, filled with non-perishable food and gifts to ensure every child and family has a treat under the tree on 25 December.
This year is no different and local businesses and organisations are back on board.
Helensville Mechanical is a drop-off point and for every gift they receive, they’ll donate one more. Paper Plus Helensville is offering half-price books and wrapping paper. Harcourts Helensville is raising funds with a BBQ and raffle and the students, staff and families at Helensville Primary are donating too.
The police pitch in, as do Kumeu Rotary.
And then, there’s Parakai Four Square. Dan and Diana Dale have taken the spirit of giving to a new level this year with the offer of 5000 toys. Yes, you read those zeros correctly.
“I knew Foodstuffs had some clearance toys, so I said I’d take all they had, expecting it to be around 1500, but it was 15,000,” Dan explains, “so, a bit more than I expected, but I thought, oh well, that’s just more to give away to those who need it.”
But the promotion he ran in November was hugely successful.
“We sold out of a few lines with the beach towels being the most popular,” Dan says. They sold 1500 towels in just five days.
Kindred Family Services will be the recipient of a lot of the gifts from Parakai Four Square, but those they don’t use will be distributed to agencies serving those in need elsewhere in Auckland.
The local families who receive the hampers are those who have used Kindred’s services during the year, perhaps by working with a social worker, or having counselling, or who have shown a real commitment to making positive change in their lives. They’re also given to their women’s refuge clients.
“It’s a stressful time for parents, stretching budgets, keeping the pantry full and giving gifts to their children with a limited budget,” says Tania Mansell, Community Support Worker, “So, it’s nice for us to recognise their efforts and to do something to end the year on a positive note.”
Tania says they prefer gifts to be unwrapped, “that way parents or caregivers also get to wrap their kids’ presents themselves and that’s a really rewarding and fun experience for them.”
Donations are requested by 11 December, so there’s time to get the hampers ready and distributed.
Cash donations are also welcome and can be made online at kindredservices.org.nz/donations.
