Kindy kids celebrate spirit of Christmas | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A CHRISTCHURCH family's generous donation of $1400 worth of toys has enabled children from the Kidsfirst Rutland St Kindergarten to learn the true spirit of Christmas.

Clive and Amanda Reed, whose son, Henry, 5, attends the kindergarten have given 150 toys to the Methodist Mission's Support a Family Christmas Hampers campaign. The toys will be added to hampers of festive fare donated by hundreds of Christchurch people that will be distributed among families in need next week. The campaign, supported by The Star, sprang from the mission's concerns for stressed families coping in the wake of the devastating September 4 earthquake this Christmas.

KidsFirst Rutland St teacher Tahu Loper said the Reeds bought all the toys and gave them to the kindergarten where they were wrapped by the 90 children and put under the Christmas tree for a week. He said the children had all enjoyed wrapping the gifts and had learnt that the spirit of Christmas was more about giving than receiving. "It's been a pretty shaky old time, so it's been great to do some good stuff."

Methodist Mission executive director Mary Richardson said the Reeds' donation came after they read about the appeal in the newspaper. "We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Kidsfirst and the Reed Family," she said. "Their donation will make a real difference to Christmas for many children and families in Christchurch.

Anyone willing to make a donation is asked to contact Paula Crean at the mission. Phone 366 6745 or email paula@mmsi.org.nz