28 November 2016

The Warehouse and Women’s Refuge launch ‘Elves on Shelves’ for women and children affected by family violence

The Warehouse is seeking kiwi ‘elves’ in its shelves this Christmas to donate much needed gifts to women and children affected by violence.

The campaign launches in all 93 The Warehouse stores from today, with shoppers able to donate items of their choice, such as canned goods, toys, and clothing items via a collection point in-store.

Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Dr Ang Jury says that last Christmas just under 4000 women and children across New Zealand called on the help of Women’s Refuge, nearly half of which were under the age of 18.

“Christmas is a particularly stressful time of the year for most people, and the addition of family violence can turn what is supposed to be a joyful and fun occasion in to a nightmare,” she says.

“All of the whanau we work with during the Christmas season just want to give their kids a safe and happy Christmas, every child deserves this; we need New Zealand’s help so that families we work with can open a gift on Christmas day.”

The Warehouse has a long standing partnership with Women’s Refuge to bring about change to New Zealand’s horrific family violence record. This includes the introduction of its shielded site on The Warehouse retail website and its domestic violence leave policy for team members.

Paul Walsh, Executive GM for Community & Environment at The Warehouse says:

“People who visit our stores often want to do something special for others at Christmas time. Through the ‘Elves on Shelves’ donation programme for Women’s Refuge, we hope any little act of giving will help women and children who are escaping violence over the holiday period to know that others are thinking of them.”

Mr Walsh adds that The Warehouse stores will be collecting all gifts donated by the community, no matter where they are purchased.

“We ask that the gifts are unwrapped and we suggest the donation of items that would be most useful, including non-perishable food items such as tins of biscuits, as well as clothes for boys and girls, teenage gifts and pamper gifts for mums.”

All The Warehouse stores will be accepting new gifts from November 28th 2016.

ENDS

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