Help share the magic of Christmas and create joy for families in need
‘Be the Joy’ campaign hopes to give over 20,000 kids a gift to open on Christmas morning.
Christmas is a special time of year, where everyone deserves to feel the joy the holiday season brings.
It’s why The Warehouse Group, together with Variety – the Children’s Charity and Women’s Refuge, is on a mission to make thousands of Christmas wishes come true for Kiwi children with its annual ‘Be the Joy’ campaign.
From now until December 20, customers can purchase a $5 gift tag at any The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Noel Leeming or Torpedo 7 store or online, and The Warehouse Group will turn it into a $20 gift for a child who might otherwise go without.
The Warehouse stores nationwide are also collecting new, unwrapped presents for local Women’s Refuges. Until December 20, Kiwis can donate gifts to the instore donation boxes for women and children in Refuge’s care.
The Warehouse Group chief corporate affairs officer, Anna Shipley, says Kiwis often want to do something special for others at Christmas time.
“We know many New Zealanders are looking for ways to support others and we want to make this simple at a busy time of year,” she says.
“Customers can either donate a gift or buy a $5 Be the Joy gift tag at any of our stores and we’ll work with Women’s Refuge and Variety to make sure a Kiwi child, who might otherwise miss out, gets a gift to brighten up their Christmas.”
Shipley says last year’s campaign saw more than 17,000 gifts delivered to children across Aotearoa. This year the goal is to make a difference for over 20,000 children.
“Now in its sixth year, Be the Joy is one small way we and Kiwis can support our local communities, and to help make things just a little bit easier for families in Aotearoa during the holiday season.”
It’s a special time of year for The Warehouse staff, too.
“Our team at The Warehouse Napier love to support our local community and get 100% behind our Be the Joy campaign each year,” says The Warehouse Napier store manager Paul Giffard.
“It is a special campaign, because it’s not what we say, or what we do, it’s about how the community can make someone else feel special.”
The Warehouse Greymouth store manager, Kimberley McAllister, agrees. “Every year we are blown away by the generosity of the community and we’re super proud to be supporting the Be the Joy campaign again this year. We really love being able to help local families feel a little joy at this time of year. Every little bit helps.”
Variety – the Children’s Charity chief executive officer, Susan Glasgow, says for some children Be the Joy is the difference between receiving a gift on Christmas day or not.
“This year we’ve heard from many more parents struggling financially with increases in groceries, rent and bills. There is often nothing left for other expenses, let alone gifts for their children,” she says.
“The Warehouse Group’s Be the Joy campaign gives New Zealanders the chance to share the magic of Christmas with children who would otherwise go without. Knowing that they and the more than 1000 children on our waitlist will have a present to open fills me with joy.”
Women’s Refuge chief executive, Dr Ang Jury, wants those dropping gifts to the instore collection to know that what they are doing goes far beyond simply a good deed for the festive season.
“The kids receiving your gifts will remember your generosity for years to come. Being at a Refuge can be unsettling for kids, and even more so at a time like Christmas. Having a gift of their own to unwrap on Christmas morning can turn a time of anxiety into one of wonderment.”
To kick-off the campaign, The Warehouse Group donated over 4000 toys to children in need across the country.
$5 Be the Joy gift tags and add-a-dollar is available at all 249 The Warehouse Group stores – The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Noel Leeming and Torpedo 7 – both in-store and online.