Organisers overwhelmed by donations to Community Christmas Tree
19 December 2012
Since Monday 3 December the Rotorua Museum Community Christmas Tree, sponsored by Farmers, has been accepting donated gifts for Waiariki Women's Refuge.
Within 30 minutes of the tree being decorated a local family brought in a box filled with presents for the families in need.
Rotorua Museum public programme manager William Yip said there has been a steady flow of gifts since day one.
Lots of gifts were purchased especially to donate, however many children are choosing some of their own favourite toys to bring in," he said.
"From bikes to soft toys, bath bubbles to local attraction vouchers, the generosity of our local community and businesses has been overwhelming with over 200 presents being donated already."
Waiariki Women's Refuge manager Miriama Roberts is delighted with the donations.
Domestic violence is an ongoing issue in our community. The gifts from the Rotorua Museum Community Christmas Tree will add a special touch for families under women's refuge care this year.
Most of the gifts will be taken to the women's refuge on Friday [21 December] in time for Christmas Day. However organisations and families can continue to drop presents off until Friday 4 January 2013, enabling people to donate any unwanted Christmas gifts to a great cause.
Families, individuals and companies can bring their wrapped gifts and place them under the tree, along with a gift tag indicating whether the gift is for a mother or child, and if for a child, the gender and suitable age range.