Excitement brewing for annual toy appeal

For organisers of Paeroa Baptist Church’s annual Community Christmas Toy Appeal, the opportunity to provide children in need with presents is already putting a smile on faces.
It’s soon to be that time of year when a group of Santa’s helpers wrap and distribute gifts to local tamariki, but residents are first encouraged to drop unwrapped presents under a tree in the newly-relocated Paeroa Information Hub.
Gifts must be donated before December 8, and coordinator Jill Robertson expected no shortage of supply again this year.
“Last year we wrapped 260 gifts, and sometimes there were two or three things inside one present,” she said. “The community was just incredibly, incredibly generous… and I’m hoping for the same, if not more, enthusiasm this year.”
A dedicated team of volunteers will be wrapping the donated presents on December 13. Then, the gifts will get distributed to around 20 organisations who supply the volunteers with names and ages of the young recipients.
Gifts are given to children, aged from newborn to 12 years, and Jill – who is a retired teacher from Paeroa Christian School – said she’s already received a list of recipients from one of the participating schools.
“I do it for the children in our community,” Jill said, “and it just feels like the excitement is already there. This is something that allows people to feel like they’re making a worthwhile contribution in our community… it’s something people can be a part of, big or small.”
DETAILS: Donated gifts are to be new, or in excellent condition, and donations of wrapping paper is also gratefully accepted. Drop-off is at the Paeroa Info Hub, situated in its new location at 6 Wharf St, next-door to Hauraki Bike Hire. Place unwrapped gifts under the Christmas tree by Friday, December 8. Please make contact via 027 4144 853 or paeroabapchurch@gmail.com for further info.