Gift drive delivers
Ollie Robinson is likely to get a few nice presents this Christmas, but lately his mind has been on those less fortunate than himself.
The Whitby 10-year-old has been on a mission for the past month, after realising many kids his age won’t get any presents on Christmas Day.
Ollie and his family distributed more than 600 flyers around Whitby three weeks ago, asking for donated gifts, and requested support in a letter to the editor of Kapi-Mana News.
‘‘New Zealand is a country with lots of generous people and there are kids out there that don’t get stuff like some of us do,’’ said Ollie. ‘‘If I don’t ask now, it might not happen.’’
The response has been overwhelming. Ollie anticipated a shopping trolley full of goods to take to Kmart’s Wishing Tree last Thursday, but was wondering how more than 200 wrapped and labelled gifts were going to fit in the family car.
Mum Kate said presents were being dropped off on their Port Lane home’s doorstep at all hours.
Families and staff from Pauatahanui School, which Ollie attends, were especially generous. ‘‘Pretty much everyone there gave something, it’s just been amazing.
‘‘ Complete strangers have been coming up to the house, one lady gave us a call and came with a big bag full within two hours [of receiving the flyer].’’
Former All Black Dion Waller, who has children at Pauatahanui School, gifted All Black posters, Hurricanes flags and basketballs.
Most gifts were sports gear, soft toys, games, dress-up costumes and books.
Ollie is still coming to grips with the landslide of gifts and goodwill he created. Because of the success of his inaugural effort, he plans to do it all again next
year.