Sharing the cheer
Christmas lunch inspires 11-year-old Kiwi to keep volunteering
Like many Kiwis, Summer Aiono has been spending the holiday period with family across the ditch – but instead of hitting the beach, the 11-year-old has instead been flexing her charitable muscles.
Inspired by her aunts, Kayle Kie and Mireta David, Summer chose to help those less fortunate during a festive lunch on Australia’s Gold Coast.
During the day, she helped wrap hundreds of presents and decorated the large lunch hall, along with her teenage cousins.
‘‘I like to help other people and so I was happy when my aunties included me in their [plan] to help others. I don’t care that it meant giving up my Christmas Day – it was the best thing I’ve ever done,’’ Summer says.
After seeing firsthand the effects of helping others, Summer wants to continue the goodwill once she’s back in her hometown.
‘‘I’d love it if we could do something like this back in Wellington. People need help and I want to give it.’’
Mireta David, who lives on the Gold Coast, says the idea behind signing the entire family up to volunteer was to show the value of giving, rather than just receiving.
‘‘We realised, over the years, we’ve had plenty at Christmas. But times have changed. We see people struggling. Not only in their basic living needs but also in their emotional wellbeing.
‘‘It was time for us to recognise that we are a blessed family and although we’re not perfect, we wanted to help where possible on Christmas Day. And more importantly, we wanted to give our children the opportunity to give and serve others – if indeed they wanted to. And they wanted to.’’
Vanessa McLiesh was one of those who attended the community lunch and says she was pleased to see the family spirit alive and well among volunteers and guests.
‘‘I have heard about a lot of these places that do these sorts of things at Christmas and I just wanted to pick one where I could really enjoy myself.
‘‘The family scenario is where I fit in the best and this lunch provides that. Different races, different faces,’’ she says.