Christmas gets a Helping Hand

 

BY JULIA WADE

A Christmas party inspired by memories of ’back in the day’ delighted hundreds of people recently as one of Mangawhai’s charitable organisations gave the festive season a helping hand to arrive.

Three hundred Mangawhai Helping Hands (MHH) members and their families attended the Kids Christmas Party at Mangawhai Domain on December 7, which included ‘old school games’ such as sack races, egg and spoon sprints and tug-o-war, along with a BBQ and gifts from Santa.

MHH administrator and organiser of the community food stand, Libby Clews, says inspiration for the party came from her own childhood experiences of ‘the good old days’.

“My Dad worked at Wrightson’s, and back then companies would put on Christmas parties for their employee’s families, especially their children, but these don’t seem to happen a lot anymore,” she says. “I just wanted to give the kids of MHH this experience and a gift, especially if their families are struggling this Christmas time.” 

MHH is an online ‘gift on’ style charity where people can pass on clothing, toys, furniture, food items and even plants to others.

The group also promotes the Community Food Stand on Molesworth Drive, are supporters of the ‘Book Train’ where books can be freely shared, and through 2019, have gifted 50 food baskets to struggling families thanks to regular grocery donations from Countdown Warkworth.

Being MHH’s inaugural Christmas party Clews says there were a few hiccups but generally the day went well. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

A huge thanks to the Domain for allowing us to use their wonderful facility and a big thank you also to all our sponsors and volunteers,” she says. “We had an amazing day, and lucky for us, a storm rolled in just an hour after finishing! The whole experience is something these kids will appreciate and remember.”

„ For more information on MHH or to become a member, visit the MHH facebook page.