Kiwi generosity is alive and well, with the Salvation Army reporting that last year’s Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal was the most successful to date.
The appeal, which runs for the six weeks before Christmas, allows New Zealanders to donate gifts to help families who are struggling to afford presents.
At the end of the 2011 appeal 32,873 gifts had been donated across New Zealand – a show of Christmas spirit that Salvation Army spokesperson Major Robbie Ross says is “heartwarming”.
The Salvation Army has been flooded with stories from recipients, he says, including a solo father who was able to give a bike to his young son for Christmas.
“There have been a lot of tears of joy shed as a result of the generosity of New Zealanders,” Major Ross says.
Kmart New Zealand general manager Sue Smith says she was amazed at the amount of donations at the end of a “tough” year.
“Despite the difficult situations that many New Zealanders found themselves in in 2011, people were still able to… put a smile on the faces of people in need around the country,” she says.
“[Contributors] made a real difference in the lives of people across the country, and as a result, Christmas was a little bit brighter for everyone.”
3 News