Gifts and ice-cream from helping hands

JULIA WADE

An online community with a philosophy of gifting on items and giving a helping hand to others in need celebrated the end of year with a December Christmas party complete with Santa, games and gifts, held at Mangawhai Domain

Mangawhai Helping Hands volunteers and families enjoyed a day of playing games on the grounds, relaxing around the hall’s deck listening to music, and devouring ice cream from local vendor Dizzy Lizzies.

This year the 200 children did not have to queue too long to meet and receive a special present from the popular big guy in the famous red suit, due a new ‘staggered system’, with families visiting Santa in 30 minute intervals, ‘which worked really well’, coordinator Libby Clews says, ‘so we’ll definitely do that again’.

“We did decide to scale our usual celebration down this year however due to Covid and time restraints, but all the kids still got a present and adults got their ice cream too… the children were happy and both parents and volunteers relaxed… it was lovely and chilled.”

Mangawhai Helping Hands ‘superstar’ administrator Ivanka Radvanska and ‘lead administrator-extraordinaire’ Libby Clews, who are also in the ‘gifting business’, have a little bit of fun with Santa at the organisations recent Christmas do. PHOTO/SUPPLIED