Putting a smile on a child's face through the joy of reading.

By Petrina Wright | Posted: Tuesday December 6, 2022

Southland children in need are set to receive the precious gift of a new book this Christmas thanks to Kiwi Christmas Books.

For the third time, Kiwi Christmas Books has selected Family Works Southland as the region’s charity partner to distribute donated new books to children less fortunate.

Pam Wilson of Kiwi Christmas Books said Family Works Southland was chosen because they knew the books would go to deserving tamariki whose whanau were involved in the organisation.

Kiwi Christmas Books also appreciated the effort staff at Family Works made to match the books to the interests of each individual tamaiti, she said.

“We love to put a smile on the face of each tamaiti when they receive their new book.”

Kiwi Christmas Books is a nationwide charity. People donate new books to the charity and then the charity passes them on to families in need through its charity partners from Invercargill to Whangerei.

Family Works Southland was one of three charities in the lower South Island to receive books this year for families using their services. The other two charities were Family Works Otago and Happiness House Queenstown.

Family Works manager Kris Wallis said they were grateful to be chosen to distribute the books.

“For some of our families, these are the first brand new books they have ever had, and the children are excited to receive them.”

Books were a fantastic tool for building attachment between younger children and their parents, and older children enjoyed reading to build language skills and knowledge, Ms Wallis said.

“Thank you all so much for the opportunity to be able to put these books out to our families.”

SBS Bank Invercargill was one of several locations where people could drop off donated books for the cause.

SBS Invercargill branch manager Sue Downing said - “SBS is delighted to be involved in the Kiwi Christmas Books collection once again. We see it as a fantastic initiative to give to those kids who really deserve something special to call their own this Christmas.”

People can donate books until Monday, December 12.

Collection points:

Young Reflections

Paper Plus Invercargill

Ray White Real Estate

SBS Invercargill and Gore

Windsor Stationery & Lotto

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