A local Christmas initiative is once again aiming to brighten the holidays for children who may not have access to books of their own.
This year, the Hauraki Family Violence Intervention Network has teamed up with Carson’s Bookshop in Thames to encourage the community to help spark a love of reading among tamariki.
Shoppers browsing Carson’s in the lead-up to Christmas can choose to purchase a book specifically for donation. Once bought, the book is set aside by staff and later collected by the network, ensuring it finds its way to a child who’ll treasure it.
Organiser Sally Christie said the need had only grown since the initiative first began in 2023.
“What I’ve noticed is that more families are finding providing the basics so challenging that Christmas becomes even more stressful,” she said.
“So it’s about people that can, buying for their own family, and also thinking: ‘Can I give a book to a child that is likely not to get anything under the tree for Christmas?’
“I’ve had really amazing feedback from families about what a difference it made last time.”
Sally said donations were welcome for all ages, from picture books for beginners, to novels suited to older readers. She added that the initiative also offered parents a chance to show their children the importance of giving.
“Christmas is about giving as well as receiving,” she said, “and it’s a way that perhaps grandparents or parents can help their kids acknowledge that there’s some children that aren’t going to have Christmas this year, so they could go and pick their favourite book and donate it to that anonymous child.”
Carson’s Bookshop owner Greg Hampton said supporting the initiative meant “a lot” – in helping to bring comfort, imagination, and hope to children who needed it most.
“We’re honoured to stand alongside Sally and the Hauraki Family Violence Intervention Network doing vital work, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help make Christmas a little brighter for tamariki in our community.”
DETAILS: Books must be bought and dropped off at the counter of Carson’s Bookshop before Tuesday, December 18.
BY KELLEY TANTAU
