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Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal

Photo of the 2019 Mayoral Gift Appeal packages

Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal packages ready to go out in a previous year.

2023 Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal

Gifts can be dropped off to Council's Service Centre or the Stratford Library and Visitor Information Centre from 1 December 2023 until 15 December 2023.

Items needed include:

  • books for all ages
  • hygiene products for all ages (new, not preloved)
  • non-perishable food (and Christmas Day treats, such as Christmas Cake, chocolate, biscuits, crackers)
  • family board games
  • summer fun toys (such as sports equipment, outdoor games, something for the beach)

If you are donating pre-loved items, please ensure they are in good condition. We are unable to take items that need repairing for this appeal. Please do not donate second-hand soft toys - these cannot be accepted.

Cash donations are also welcome and will be used to purchase gifts to top up the donated presents under the Christmas tree. Local businesses can choose to sponsor the Mayoral Gift Appeal by donating their goods or providing a cash donation.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Vanessa Fischer on 06 765 6099 or vfischer@stratford.govt.nz

Making a nomination

To ensure gifts are making their way to those most in need, we ask that you seriously consider your reason for nominating an individual or family. Keeping in mind that we can only deliver gifts to a limited number of people in our community.

Each family or person you nominate will need a separate nomination form completed. Each nomination is treated with the highest degree of confidentiality. As numbers are limited, we can’t guarantee all nominees will receive a gift. Please keep your nominations confidential, and we’ll be in touch once the nomination period is closed.

Nominations close at 4.30pm Friday 8 December 2023. Gift packs will then be put together and delivered by 22 December 2023.

Make a nomination here
A scan of a letter written to Mayor Boon in the late 1950's thanking him for the Christmas parcel

A letter written by a resident to Mayor Boon in the late 1950's thanking him for the Christmas parcel they received.

The Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal is an annual tradition that asks for gift donations to be dropped off at the Council Service Centre and Library and visitor information centre from 1 December in the lead up to Christmas. These gifts are given to families and individuals within our community who are in need of a bit of support and extra cheer during the festive season.

People are nominated by local social service agencies as well as community members.

The concept of Christmas gifts has been a part of Stratford’s history for at least 64 years.

A scan of a letter written to Mayor Boon in the late 1950's thanking him for the Christmas parcel

Another grateful letter to Mayor Boon in the late 1950s.

Diving into the Stratford District Council archives we discovered mention of Christmas parcels dating back to 1957, in the time of Mayor Boon (Borough Council). From 1957 onwards records of the Christmas parcel initiative appear regularly, alongside thank you letters from grateful locals. Locals in the early 1960s wrote that the Christmas parcels were “very useful” and that it was “a thrill” to receive one. Originally the Christmas gifts were parcels solely containing food. Now the gifts contain various other items too, like toys and hygiene products. This initiative originated as part of the Mayoral Relief Fund and has evolved over the years.

Photo of current Mayor Neil Volzke with donated gifts for the Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal

Mayor Neil Volzke with donated gifts for the Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal in 2020.

Although the formatting and contents of Stratford’s beloved Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal has changed over time, the intent of the project has remained; to provide a heartfelt Christmas gift to community members in need.

The Mayoral Christmas Gift Appeal is more community orientated than ever, relying heavily on local’s generous donations. Seeing the Council Service Centre Christmas tree become surrounded by donated gifts each year, is a heart-warming reminder of our community’s compassion. We hope it is a tradition that will see many more years of giving.

Current Stratford District Mayor Neil Volzke speaks fondly of the tradition saying, “Stratford residents are always outstanding with their generous contribution. We have a caring community, which this appeal continues to display each year.”


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