23/12/2016

City Mission thanks Greater Wellington for being stars to people in need

The Wellington City Mission has once again been blown away by Greater Wellingtons response to their Christmas Star Appeal.

Individuals, businesses, teams and families have been getting involved in many different ways, including filling 420 „Christmas Star Boxes with food and toys, taking part in the iconic „Pack the Bus, buying tickets to the brand new Christmas raffle, volunteering their time to sort and repack Christmas goods, and purchasing close to 200 stars on The Missions Walk of Fame!

Generous private and business donors have also contributed financially, enabling The Mission to continue offering their programmes and services both now and into the new year.

Wellington City Mission Chief Executive Officer Michelle Branney said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported our Christmas Star Appeal this year. Whether you gave food or toy donations, donated financially, bought a star on the Walk of Fame, donated at the Star Car, or got involved in one of the many other ways, we are so appreciative! Its incredible to know that this support has touched the lives of thousands of people this Christmas.”

Because of the generous support of Greater Wellington, during December The Mission has given out close to 900 Christmas food parcels – that’s food for approximately 3,000 people in total! This is on top of the 300 regular food parcels which they also distributed during November and December. Approximately 1,700 children from throughout Greater Wellington have also received new gifts this Christmas. Recipients of the food and gifts are Mission clients, as well as those of 31 other community service agencies The Mission collaborates with, such as Kokiri Marae Maori Womens Refuge, Porirua Whanau Centre, Red Cross Refugee Services, Challenge 2000, Cannons Creek Opportunity Centre, Birthright Hutt Valley & Wellington, and House of Grace, to name a few.

Today The Mission also delivered over 100 special Christmas Day Hampers to families on their programmes, and to other local services that are supporting people throughout Christmas. These were delivered with the help of players from the Hurricanes, the Phoenix and the Firebirds, and include items such as chicken donated by Tegel Foods, sausages from The Mad Butcher, hams from Hellers, and other Christmas goods from local businesses and individual donors – plus gifts for children.

In the lead-up to Christmas The Mission also held three sittings for a Hākari (feast) in their Drop-in Centre – the first for volunteers, then two sittings for guests – catering for 140 people in total.

ENDS

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