November is here, and apart from Remembrance Day and the post-Halloween candy hangover, it’s time to get ready for Christmas.
We here at the gazette have been doing quite a bit of planning of our own.
Even now people will begin to notice little red, white and green tins — OK, OK, they’re plastic — on counters all over the North Island.
These tins or tubs are the North Island Hamper Fund donation receptacles. Hamper tins are distributed to more than 100 locations all over the North Island starting Nov. 1st.
For 31 years the North Island Hamper Fund has been providing those in need with a traditional Christmas dinner and presents for the children.
Each hamper is tailored to the size of the family and the age and gender of all children, so that there is enough to go around and each family’s holiday is special and unique.
We serve every community in the North Island region, over the years we’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we have helped thousands of people.
We are committed to making sure that no-one is left behind.
With your generous donations, we can provide everyone a Merry Christmas.
This year’s goal is $30,000, but more would be better, so feel free to give however much you can spare.
We also accept donations of new toys and non-perishable food.
Toy and food donations can be dropped off at most banks and stores that sell toys, as well as the gazette office.
If you’d like to apply to receive a hamper, you can pick up an application at the Gazette office at 7305 Market St., by clipping an application from our paper, or downloading one from www.northislandgazette.com.
Applications can be dropped off or mailed to our office.