MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
|
|
Te Whai's gift of arohaBY JULIA WADE
With only 22 sleeps left until the big day, the countdown to Christmas is on! Although excitement is beginning to grow, especially for the younger members of the community, it is general knowledge that the festive season can also bring hardship to many families. In keeping with the giving spirit of the season and making it easy for locals to help out struggling Mangawhai families, community advocate organisation Te Whai Community Trust (TWCT) has begun their annual food drive, placing aroha donation baskets in several handy locations. TWCT volunteer Paula Cotter says throughout 2018 the organisation has given 50 Aroha baskets to families in need and with Christmas coming, demand is increasing. “We are asking for donations from the community to put more baskets together. We are hoping to provide the ingredients for a Christmas dinner and more ‘special bits and pieces’, whether its new toys or special outfits, festive treats, decorations or non-perishable food,” she says. “What we want to achieve is for no families to go hungry over Christmas and to bring a little joy to lives where people are struggling.” Donations can be dropped in the Village at Funky Clothing, St John Op Shop, Mangawhai Kindergarten, and at the Four Square in the Heads.
Young at Heart Luncheon, December 12, Mangawhai Museum at 12pm. ‘Grandparents who Parent’ morning tea, December 12, Old Tara Road schoolhouse at 10am. Te Whai is located at the Old Tara Road schoolhouse at Pioneer Village, open Mondays and Thursdays from 9am –12pm, phone 0210 247 8003 |