For the past three years, in the lead-up to Christmas, Rosie Naylor has saved up her own money and called on friends and family to give either gifts or funds so she can buy necessities for Women’s Refuge.
Yesterday, Ms Naylor visited Women’s Refuge Te Whare Pounamu in Dunedin to drop off several Christmas hampers full of groceries, toys and toiletries.
Ms Naylor said this year’s haul was the best she had managed yet.
She received $925 in monetary donations and additional items to go with what she had spent the money on.
Ms Naylor split the money three ways — $300 on groceries, $300 on toys and $300 in grocery vouchers for Women’s Refuge staff to spend themselves.
"I kind of try go into it without any expectations so I’m happy with anything."
However, she felt "really, really good".
She handed the hampers over to Te Whare Pounamu child advocate Maria Jones and manager Wenda Parata-Muir yesterday.Ms Parata-Muir was overwhelmed by the donation.
Because of Ms Naylor’s actions, others had expressed interest in doing something similar.
And while Ms Naylor was not sure about including a few cans of tomatoes and chickpeas in her hampers, Ms Parata-Muir said every Women’s Refuge was different.
"We don’t mind the tomatoes and the chickpeas."
Ms Jones was also equally impressed.
She said one of the highlights of giving out the gifts to women at the refuge meant they were able to see the joy on the people’s faces when they received them.
"To see a child walking away with smiles and Mum relieved ... that’s been the biggest thing."
Some books donated would also be appreciated as part of the new library Te Whare Pounamu was developing.
