Every year we refine the Aunties Xmas. How many kids, how many organisations, it just keeps growing. And this year, we have changed things completely. Aunty Jo has taken on most of it, so she'll be your Xmas Fairy. (And hopefully she'll do it every year....) So read this very very carefully so you know exactly how you can be a Xmas Elf. I will be shoulder tapping my Uber Aunties to do the whanau of my girls, so if that's you, you may want to taihoa..... And now. Over to Jo.....
Dear Aunties,
at the time of writing this it is 54 days until Christmas!
Based off the enormous success of 2017, (mountains of presents) Aunty Jackie is handing over the reigns of the sleigh this year. I am now head sleigh driver for present collection and distribution for the following groups, babies in their Mum’s care at Auckland Women’s Correctional Facility, families that are under the care of Kirs and Sam at the Salvation army and for the children’s Christmas Party at Te Roopu o Te Whanau Rangimarie o Tamaki Makaurau (TWR) at Mangere. All up about 150 - 170 children. We aim to give them all at least three presents each. Jackie will still be coordinating gifts for the Womens’ families that she walks alongside.
To streamline the process, and ensure that every child gets presents in A1 condition, that are age appropriate and equal to what the kid opening his or her’s next to them get, we are making some changes. We would like you to donate funds so that we can purchase the gifts.
We will be purchasing most items in bulk, from toy liquidators, K-mart and The Warehouse. Children up to the age of 12 will receive gifts, 13 and over they will receive a gift card for $30 from The Warehouse as they provide the most choice for teens, from technology to books, as well as clothes, shoes and cosmetics.
An example of what your donation can purchase :
$10 - 2 x Seedling craft kits, or 15 x bubble swords, 3 x light up bouncy balls, 5 x kids bath gels.
$15 1 x 100 piece block set, or 1 x wooden Dr’s Kit
$20 - 2 x Paint your own cushion or 1 x dress up costume.
$30 - One teen Gift Card, or 10 x mini plush toys.
$50 - 5 x wooden puzzle sets, or 4 x baby dolls. 10 x wooden board books for toddlers.
$100 - 15 x doll strollers. 8 x wooden emergency vehicles.
Donations to The Aunties Give a Little, ensure you mark it is ‘Christmas Present Funds’ via the bank account The Aunties 12-3019-0022633-00 or via the Give A Little page https://givealittle.co.nz/org/theaunties.
For a receipt email treasurer@aunties.co.nz.
If you would like to send a store gift card for Kmart or The Warehouse, include your name and email and post to:
Joanne Kenyon
PO Box 128560
Remuera
Auckland 1050
If you have already purchased gifts they can still be dropped off - please email joanne@budge.co.nz to organise a time and place.
There will be a wrapping party, all Aunties are invited, whether you have donated or not, whether you want to wrap or not - bring a plate, beverages provided - Sunday, December 9th, drop in anytime between 10am and 2pm. RSVP - joanne@budge.co.nz. Location to be decided. Bring any of your leftover wrapping paper from previous years along with you.
There will be an opportunity to deliver gifts to some of the families and help with delivery to TWR. Details to be advised when we know dates and addresses.
Looking forward to meeting you all and providing a bounty of Christmas cheer to kids in Auckland who may otherwise go without.
Ho Ho Ho, and Merry Christmas.
Regards,
Joanne Kenyon