Of giving to fill the bus
Whata said a number of students at the school were on the poverty line, while some were above and some below it.
“Everyone needs to learn to give,” Whata said.
For the students participating in Fill the Bus, the day was filled with the joy of giving, laughter and many cheers for popular mascots the Grinch and Shieldy — the Salvation Army’s mascot, a giant red shield with a big smile.
The bus was greeted at the doors of Rotorua Intermediate by a smiling crew of the school’s Year 8 prefects.
“It’s really cool seeing the smiles on the faces of everyone helping,” Eli Hoffman said.
“I think filling the bus is a good opportunity to share with people in need of food this Christmas,” Madison Koopu said.
When asked, the prefects unanimously agreed that getting a visit from the Grinch “never got old”.
Mokoia Intermediate student Layne Murray, 12, said she had donated cans of tomatoes, kidney beans, spaghetti, peaches and pears.
“The best part of Fill the Bus is knowing that all the food is going to a great cause. We think it’s important that all families have a great Christmas.”
Murray had participated in Fill the Bus as a primary school pupil at Glenholme School, and was excited to be a part of the event again.
Olivia Filipo, 10, from Lynmore School has helped fill buses with Christmas donations for five years in a row.
“My favourite part is seeing the cans all go on the bus. It’s good to know we’re giving groceries to people who need it.”