Our Opinion – Universal Message

The response to the annual Hibiscus Matters Christmas appeal for food and vouchers for Coast families, who might be doing it tough this Christmas, has again been heartwarming. Several businesses have opted to donate instead of running a Secret Santa, but otherwise, it was just kind-hearted individuals putting their hand in their own pocket to put a smile on a stranger’s face on Christmas morning.

As traditions go, Christmas is about the only one that most Kiwis follow religiously, even if they aren’t religious. We put up trees, decorate houses and letterboxes, organise Secret Santas, put reindeer antlers on our cars, and angst over what to buy the favourite people in our lives. Some of us will go to church, others will visit relatives they haven’t seen since last Christmas, share wine and chocolates and homemade goodies with neighbours, and tidy up the house and garden in preparation for the big day.

We say it’s all about the children, which is true in part, but the time, effort and thought invested in trying to make other people happy at this time of year strikes a universal chord of goodwill. There is something comforting to the rhythm of this familiar routine and even more so when our generosity expands to embrace the wider community.

On that note, thank you to Love Soup, Hibiscus Coast Community House and Whangaparaoa Police for distributing all the donations, and we reserve a special thanks for all those souls who will be working on Christmas Day – hospital and rest home staff, police, St John and possibly our fire fighters if a BBQ gets out of control – to name just a few. You put the community first, not just at Christmas, but the whole year through, and we salute you.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Hibiscus Matters team