Greater Wellington shines at Christmas with tremendous support for charity

The spirit of Christmas has been expressed and celebrated by the Greater Wellington community again this year through the joy of giving.

The response to The Wellington City Mission’s Christmas Star Appeal has been incredible: Over 500 Christmas Star Boxes filled with food and toys came in from businesses, government departments, community groups and other organisations. The iconic Pack the Bus was really successful, as businesses, schools and individuals helped fill the bus with food and gifts so much that it needed to be unpacked four times. Almost 250 volunteers worked tirelessly to sort and repack Christmas goodies that have gone out to over 1,000 families and individuals throughout the region. Both private and business donors have also contributed financially to The Mission – enabling it to continue offering its vital services during the Christmas season and into the coming year.

Wellington City Mission Marketing & Fundraising Manager Robbie Ross said: “The support given to the Christmas Star Appeal has been overwhelming and humbling. The goodwill of businesses, groups and individuals saw 228 stars go down on Wellington’s Waterfront for our Christmas Walk of Fame - a Hollywood Walk of Fame-style art installation. The fun of signing your name on one of the Star Cars has been a great hit for people of all ages. Our Street Day exceeded all expectations with almost 500 volunteer collectors at over 70 sites across Greater Wellington. As a result, The Mission raised over $130,000 from these events. So we want to say thank you to all our supporters for being stars!”

Through November and December The Mission has distributed 300 of their regular food parcels, and in December 1,000 Christmas food parcels along with gifts, to families and individuals. In total over 1,500 children throughout Greater Wellington will receive gifts. Recipients are Mission clients, as well as those of 28 other community agencies they have been collaborating with - including: Newtown Union Health, Kokiri Marae, Maori Women’s Refuge, Red Cross Refugee Services, Challenge 2000, Cannons Creek Opportunity Centre, Birthright Hutt Valley & Wellington, and House of Grace.

Wellington City Mission Chief Executive Officer Michelle Branney said: “When The Mission offers Christmas goods along with the community’s goodwill to families, it means so much to them. The Mission couldn’t do this without support – donations of gifts, goods, cash and volunteer time. This goodwill extends beyond Christmas and we have the privilege of seeing long-term positive change when former client families offer assistance to others.”

In their annual tradition, on Christmas Eve morning The Mission will also deliver 100 ‘Christmas Day Hampers’ to families in their own homes - with the help of some Wellington celebrities.

Celebrities helping with deliveries are: Hurricanes Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Reggie Goodes, and Wellington Firebirds Grant Elliot, Luke Woodcock, Matt Taylor, Ollie Newton, and also Billy Graham from Naenae Boxing Academy.

Each hamper contains the types of things a family needs to have a special Christmas Day together, including: chicken donated by Tegel Foods, sausages from The Mad Butcher, hams from Hellers, an assortment of desserts from Ruth Pretty Catering, coffee from L’affare, and other Christmas food - and also new gifts for children. Hampers go to families who are creating positive futures for themselves and their children, with The Mission’s assistance. Thanks to the generosity of the community, they will not miss out at Christmas.

If people still want to support The Mission it’s not too late, donate online at www.ChristmasStar.co.nz

ENDS

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