‘Operation Joy’ filling shoeboxes for Christmas

About 440 boxes of all shapes and sizes are wrapped and filled with presents for the Helping Families Nelson’s Christmas shoebox project, aptly named ‘Operation Joy’, that provides gifts to families in need.

This year, the charity’s founder Kristy Rowe says, social agencies have provided names of children who would benefit from a Christmas box and inside they will find a mix of both practical and fun gifts.

“We try to have things like toothbrushes as well, so they don’t have to share one with their siblings or parents. There’s a lot of kids who don’t have one at all.”

She says the rising cost of living  is adding stress to families.

“I know there’s lot of pressure on people to provide a certain amount for their kids at Christmas. A lot of people think kids need to have everything they can get their hands on, but actually, we need to remember what Christmas is all about. It’s about spending time together. You don’t have to spend money to have a good Christmas.

“It could be just going to the beach and spending time together, which many families don’t do these days and that’s what a lot of kids want.”

She suspects the cost of living is what led to about 500 people seeking free toys a couple of weekends ago during its annual toy giveaway.

The number of people was double the previous year and she says they all came through the door in the first 35 minutes, leaving the five volunteers overwhelmed.

Apart from the sheer number of people, she says the behaviour of some people was shocking and had nothing to do with desperation caused by the cost of living.

She says, there were people standing over tables and not allowing others to take toys until they had selected everything they wanted.

Much of the behaviour she learnt about later because volunteers could not see everything on the day because the space was so crowded.

“I’ve heard about people climbing over children in pushchairs to get to tables and that’s not on.

“To say I’m shocked, upset and disappointed in the behaviour we’ve learnt about since is an understatement. The behaviour we saw ... was appalling.”

Kristy says, many people have had thoughts on how they should have handled the crowd on the day, but in reality, five volunteers could do little when confronted by people with no respect for them or those around them.

The board is looking at how it might run the toy giveaway next year.

“We’re seeing more and more disrespect to our volunteers on a weekly basis, and abuse, compared with two years ago.”

She says, there is a sense of entitlement with people in the community and they are taking advantage of the charity.

Some head along to the store every week where they blatantly take larger quantities of goods and she knows some of it is sold on through markets.

“If we’re going to be treated like this, we won’t do this anymore.”

She says the behaviour of some in society – though the number is increasing - will spoil it for those who are grateful for any help they can get.

“You have people who come in and are so thankful for the smallest thing.”

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