This year has been challenging for everyone in many ways. As Christmas draws closer, we’re all looking forward to spending more time with friends and family.

For some, however, Christmas is a difficult time. Many children go without a present to open on Christmas morning, and some lack food and other basic necessities. With COVID-19, the need to support children in Aotearoa is greater than ever.

When we learned that our local church, Central Church, was working to bring Christmas back to many Kiwi kids who would otherwise go without, we knew we had to help! The goal was to fill 50 bags with presents and treats for children aged 0-18.

We decided to host a collection in the office, and what began as a small table of gifts quickly grew, taking over a large corner of the office, as staff, customers, and friends overwhelmed us with their generosity.

It’s incredibly humbling and heart-warming to see how people come together to help those in need after such a difficult year for everyone.

Barnardos is New Zealand’s leading children’s charity, working on the frontline of confronting issues such as family violence, addiction, neglect, abuse, and struggles with mental health.

For more than 60 years, they have been helping children, families, and whānau in need. Today, Barnardos supports, protects, and educates thousands of New Zealand children—this year alone, they have helped some 50,000 children, young people, and parents.