A Bus Load of Good

It was an early start for the Rotorua Salvation Army ‘Fill the Bus’ team on December 7 last year. At 7am the bus began its journey around the city, picking up food for the annual Christmas Appeal.

‘Thank you, thank you, ngā mihi nui! What an incredible show of generosity from the community of Rotorua. On behalf of Shieldy, the grinch, and my amazing team of hard workers, we want to say thanks to everyone who was involved in ‘Fill the Bus’ today,’ said Captain Hana Seddon.

With a record 10,041 items donated—the biggest since ‘Fill the Bus’ started eight years ago—Hana expressed being ‘super grateful and so proud of the team’ for their tireless work. Hana put the success of the appeal down to the incredible support of local community groups as well as corporate partners.

‘Paul Hickey from The Hits Rotorua and the awesome team from the Daily Post ensured we reached a new record this year and the level of support has been outstanding. So many schools, businesses, individuals and whānau have made this happen. We are amazed, humbled and grateful … and looking forward to getting this kai back out there, wherever it’s needed,’ explained Hana.

Donations included lots of basics as well as plenty of Christmas treats. ‘The star of the day was of course baked beans and spaghetti,’ said Hana, but overall, she was thrilled with both the quality and quantity of donated goods.

‘I am really grateful to be part of an incredible team at TSA Rotorua, and to witness everyone come together, despite the newness and “first-time-ness” of some of the team! It was an answer to prayer and a relief to be around great people who are faithful, diligent, clever, funny, gracious, focussed, caring and committed!’

Christmas hampers were of course packed and distributed in time for Christmas.