It is said that in the act of giving, we receive, which means that Motueka residents’ cups must be running over.
For the fourth year in a row, the town has given the most donations in the country towards The Warehouse’s ‘Be the Joy’ campaign, which supports partner charities Women’s Refuge, Salvation Army, Variety the Children’s Charity and The Kindness Collective. Motueka store support manager Vee Harrison says that, with almost $20,000 donated, the phrase “small town, big heart” sums it up nicely.
“This campaign is one close to all our hearts,” she says. “We all know people struggling to make ends meet, especially during the festive season. It’s truly humbling how generous our community has been this year, especially when times are tough for everyone.”
Customers were asked at the till if they wanted to make a donation to charity, and Vee says that with the many donations, the town collectively raised $19,464.
“One lovely gentleman popping in to purchase just one item donated $50.”
Nationally, more than $300,000 was raised through donations from the customers of the company, which encompasses The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationary, Noel Leeming and online purchases. The money and subsequent goods were given to the charities before Christmas, and a Whakatū Refuge spokesperson says that the gifts that are received allow the organisation to put together parcels for families.
