By Christmas, Gordon and Jenny Johnston’s wish is to fill their truck with donated gifts to hand out to local children whose families are finding it tough going.
The Richmond couple own Ace Hydraulics on Beach Rd and their compassion for kids who might miss out on having presents to open at Christmas has prompted them to reach out to the community with the call: ‘Let’s Fill the Truck’.
Gordon says the gifts – both new and good-quality second-hand items – are already rolling in, and come December they’ll be gift-wrapped and given to Helping Families Nelson to distribute.
“This is something positive to do,” Gordon says. “We’re a local business and want to support the local community. We know there’s so many families that don’t have much money – it’s pretty tight out there. We spoil our kids and there’s families that have nothing.”
Gordon’s truck is visible around town through the week, which is why it became the focus for the project. Already, he is amazed at the support, with locals dropping off gifts.
“I came in here on Sunday to clean the shop and someone turned up with their daughters with some of their toys. Just to see those kids feeling proud about giving away their toys.”
What he would like to see is other local businesses join the Christmas present drive, culminating in a drive through town in December for a final collection of gifts.
Jenny says that starting the present drive months before Christmas allows time to build up a good stock of presents to hand over to Helping Families Nelson.
“I’ve always believed charity starts at home and in your own community.”
She admits that she has become “slightly obsessed” with the project, with plans for a Christmas Family Fun Day at Ace Hydraulics in November, complete with bouncy castle. Families can bring the kids, and also a present to help fill the truck.
Another idea is a sausage sizzle to raise money to buy more presents, particularly for teenagers.
“I keep thinking that if enough of us do one small thing, it becomes something really substantial. Ultimately, that’s what I’d love this to become – the community helping its own community. One present, one packet of sausages, one hour of someone’s time, one business sponsoring a bouncy castle – none of it seems enormous on its own but put it all together and hopefully we can give a lot of local kids a really lovely Christmas.”
Gift-wrapped collection boxes are being distributed around the region, including Caltex Richmond, Queen St Pharmacy and Four Square Brightwater. A drop-off point is being sought in Motueka as well.
Gifts don’t have to be expensive and she hopes there will be plenty donated for teenagers, who often miss out. All gifts will be coded for age and gender before being gift-wrapped and passed on to Helping Families Nelson.
“Hopefully, by December, we will have a good haul. We want to try and make a big community difference, and we’d like to do it every year.
“If everyone helped each other out, the world would be a better place.”
