Hive of Yuletide Festivities at Bayfair Shopping Centre

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT SHINES AT BAYFAIR SHOPPING CENTRE


This festive season at Bayfair Shopping Centre will be one of good cheer and support for the local community, with several charities being welcomed into the centre over Christmas. From gift wrapping to photos with Santa and entertainment, the centre is a hive of Yuletide activity.

Local charities and organisations are banding together to man the popular gift-wrapping booths around the centre. On wrapping duty this year are representatives from Ryukyu Kempo Karate, St Thomas More School, Papamoa Coast Kindergarten, Te Puke Junior Cricket, Golden Sands School, Papamoa Kindergarten, Mt Coastal Guiding District, Tauranga Syncrho, Shi Sei Kan Karate Do NZ, Mount Sports Club, Tauranga SPCA, Boobop Girls, Tauranga Foodbank, Papamoa Toy Library and the Salvation Army.

The charities will be collecting donations in return for their gift-wrapping services.

Bayfair Shopping Centre Marketing Manager Nina Rivett says, “It is wonderful to see the local community come together at this busy time. Throughout the year, Bayfair assists many charitable organisations by providing a free-of-charge location within the centre to set up a stand or fundraising table. It is a pleasure to provide this space for local charities, so they can offer their services and promote their worthy causes to the community.”

Putting smiles on children’s faces is Santa, stationed outside Farmers in his brand-new sleigh. Children will be able to have a photo taken with Santa, and $1 from each Scene to Believe photo package goes to the Tauranga Community Foodbank Trust.

Tauranga Community Foodbank Trust Chairman Don Brebner says, “We are grateful to be able to receive these generous donations. We are under enormous pressure this year with food parcels going out at the rate of 10,000 for the year – twice the volume of just three years ago.”

Tauranga Community Foodbank Trust has a roster of 70 volunteers, with six working each day to meet demand. There are 64 referral agents throughout the community, such as social welfare organisations, who refer underprivileged people to the foodbank.

For shoppers who find the stress of finding the perfect gifts building during the next few days, Bayfair Shopping Centre’s ‘Centre Ambassadors’ will be on hand during key times this week to provide information, assist with giving directions to stores and helping to carry laden shopping bags to cars.