Short-Order Sunshine Appeal A Success
Ray of Sunshine, a three-day appeal to city people last month to encourage snowbound families, put together and distributed about 250 packs of comfort food, messages of support and materials to help keep children entertained.
The City Council and Canterbury Red Cross organised the collection for people in Mid- and South Canterbury, many of whom were without power for a fortnight following snowfalls last month.
City radio stations got behind the idea and The Press helped with advertising. Over two days hundreds of city people dropped off homemade cards, baking, jam, chocolate and other things to help brighten someone's day.
Packs were made up and delivered to households in and around Waimate, Fairlie, Timaru, Methven, Geraldine and Ashburton. Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) volunteers helped with distribution.
Jo Thorpe, who lives near Ashburton, sent the Council an email. "Thank you," she wrote. "We are a young familiy that has not had power for 16 days and we are only 10 minutes from Ashburton, seven minutes from Methven. On arriving home tonight I found we had power and a lovely Red Cross box of goodies and a lovely card.
"I cried. After 16 days without power, emotion took over. We as a family are very thankful. It's nice to see there are still people out there that care. Thanks again." |
