The Make a Child Smile campaign, a joint effort by Mount Maunganui Lions and Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga City Libraries, is once again asking for toy donations this December. The campaign is aimed at helping families who are struggling financially, and this year, the list of such families is longer than ever.
Every year, the campaign collects toy donations to give out at a special Christmas dinner for local families in need. These families are identified with the help of Plunket, a local organization. Each child attending the dinner receives a toy, carefully chosen just for them.
Now in its 11th year, the campaign has received thousands of gift donations from kind-hearted locals. However, the number of families in need continues to grow each year.
Brenda Anderson from Mount Maunganui Lions says that while they’ve had great responses to past campaigns, they really need a miracle this year. The deadline for donations is Monday, December 11, as the community dinner is set for Tuesday, December 12. Those who wish to donate a gift are encouraged to do so at their local library as soon as possible. However, Brenda and her colleague Daniel want to emphasize that late donations will always be accepted.
Gifts can be dropped off at any Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga City Libraries location from now until December 11.
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