Santa comes this year to Otara primary schools
Christmas Present Drop to schools in Otara
The gifts are rolling in for Otara schools.
For the second year running, the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation have teamed up with Mercury Energy, Otara Papatoetoe Local Board, The Southern Trust, The Farm and Skills Update, Otara Blue Light, NZ Police, the Warehouse, and SouthSeas Healthcare to host another amazing Christmas Present Drop to schools in Otara.
"There were a lot more smiles from Otara kids this year," says Shaun Tautali, SouthSeas Public Health Team Leader.
"It has been a huge success, with more than 3000 presents dropped-off at schools from 10-14 December," says Shaun.
The idea is to take wrapped presents to drop-off was introduced by Johana Te-Momo of the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation.
Christmas Present Drop is an initiative to donate presents to South Auckland school children, targeting families who may not have much, to help make Christmas special and happy for the children.
"The idea was simple; to bring joy and happiness to pupils of all ages in Otara, and to inspire them to be the best they can be," says Shaun.
"We are hoping that this initiative will help to alleviate some of the pressure our struggling South Auckland families are experiencing at this time of the year."
SouthSeas Healthcare staff helped to disperse the presents to 11 primary schools and 3 pre-schools in Otara and made a huge effort to help package gifts.
Shaun says there's a magic about the Christmas Present Drop and SouthSeas contributes to that.
"It brings big smiles to kids at this festive time of year through the gift of giving."
"We are all about the community caring for the community, and we are devoted to being part of this for our families and children across Otara."