19 November 2007

Christmas Cheer Appeal

Hastings District Council is changing the way the Hastings District Christmas Cheer Appeal will be coordinated with family services provider Parentline now on board to bring together the much needed annual initiative.

In previous years Hastings District Council has coordinated the appeal but from 2007 the task will be taken over by Parentline. The Christmas Cheer Appeal collects foodstuffs and Christmas gifts in the form of donations then distributes them as parcels to needy families throughout the Hawke’s Bay region.

Six hundred families in Hastings District receive the parcels, another six hundred families in Napier also benefit. Russell Buchanan, Parentline’s Hawke’s Bay manager, said the Christmas Appeal was a lot of hard work but worth the commitment as it brought much needed provisions to homes most often at risk during the festive season.

“A lot of effort goes in to preparing parcels for the specific families. It’s a lot of work getting it right,” said Mr Buchannan.

“Organisations need to be vigilant to ensure they’ve nominated truly needy families and that the parcels get delivered correctly,” he said. The Appeal parcels go to families nominated by charitable organisations and support agencies such as Work and Income New Zealand. Those wishing to donate to the Hastings District Christmas Cheer Appeal can take donations to the Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere libraries.

ENDS

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