For 15 years, Santa’s helpers have worked with the Cromwell community to make sure families and individuals going through tough times have gifts, treats and Christmas cheer.

Being one of Santa’s helpers is a pretty rewarding job, and Julie Moreton said it takes a whole year to get everything ready.

This year, some of the families and children in our communities have an even greater need for extra cheer.

“We’ve been busy throughout the year; we use donated funds to buy items locally during the year when they’re on special. People also donate gifts – things just turn up on our doorstep.

“We store them until December when we sort them ready for Christmas giving.”

Julie said gifts for people of every age were needed, but especially for teens and adults, as well as gifts for ‘tween-agers’.

“Gifts for those who aren’t kids, but aren’t adults either, the ten to twelve year olds.”

Treats for Christmas could make a day special, and practical items such as batteries for children’s toys made the day fun.

Santa’s helpers Julie Moreton and Bev Quayle are working hard with the rest of Santa’s team to get parcels delivered to people before Christmas.

Cromwell Paper Plus manager Aimee Paardekooper said the store has been a drop-off point for Secret Santa for many years, and this year they had also decorated a Tree of Giving.

They also donate gifts for the community initiative.

“The Secret Santa ladies really get to the people who need a bit of a boost at Christmas for whatever reason.

“And as much as receiving the physical gift is lovely, it’s also a gesture, shows that the community is with you at this time, and people care.

“It’s huge.”

Julie said Christmas delivery days were always very emotional for the group of Santa’s helpers – there were often a lot of tears.

She said they made personal connections with some lovely people going through hard times.

“It’s about the thought. Hey, somebody cares.

“We can’t fix it, but we can help make Christmas a little bit special.”

Julie said it was especially wonderful to see families giving back.

“We help make Christmas better when they need it, and then when they’re in a good space again, they often give gifts for others.”

Something to love is always added into parcels for children.

Julie said it had all started 15 years ago with Bev Quayle – quite by accident.

“Bev had a hair salon in the mall. One year she put up a Christmas tree, and people just started putting gifts under it. It grew from there.”

This year has been one of challenges for many families, with uncertainties around whether COVID will rear its head again in our communities.

For Secret Santa, however, alert levels are not a problem, Julie said. They had a Plan B - ways to deliver gifts safely. 

“It’s more about people in the community getting gifts to the Trees of Giving, so we’re making it easy.”

This year during December, Julie said there would be three drop-off points in Cromwell for people to leave gifts. These were the Trees of Giving at the ANZ bank, Paper Plus which is open seven days in the mall, plus OnPoint at 12a Chardonnay Street in the industrial area.

Julie said gifts donated could be new or good condition second hand. They shouldn’t be wrapped, so that Santa’s helpers could make sure the right gifts go to the right people.

“We’re really, really grateful to everyone that helps us.

“We try to create parcels for each individual. Children get something to play with, something to help them learn, a book, and something cuddly to love.”

Julie said they would start distributing parcels two weeks before Christmas, in case people were planning to go away, and they would finish by Christmas Eve.

“People in need can still become known to us right through December, so it can take us right up till Christmas Eve to get everything delivered.”

Julie encouraged everyone to be part of the Secret Santa network, and to take gifts to the Trees of Giving around Cromwell.

Photos Mary Hinsen

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