By Emily Norman
Two Masterton families have been given a leg up this Christmas after being gifted $300 vouchers for school uniforms, stationery and food.
The donations, organised by mother and nurse Sarah Bailey is not the first act of kindness she has facilitated this year.
Most weekday mornings for the past two years, she has made lunch for hungry children at Masterton Intermediate School which all started when her son began sharing so much of his lunch with famished classmates that he himself was going without.
Ms Bailey said this latest Christmas- time giving was an extension of that support for MIS kids and their families.
It included two $150 vouchers for NZ Uniforms, two $50 vouchers for Warehouse Stationery, and two $100 Pak n’ Save vouchers mainly donated by the Mike Pero Foundation and Ms Bailey’s “silent partner”.
MIS pupils, Aaliyah Savaliga, 11, and Ty-reese Molesi were chosen by their principal Russell Thompson as the “most deserving” for the gift.
“It’s actually very humbling and it’s great to be able to work in this environment where we have people like Sarah come in,” Mr Thompson said.
“We look at this support here, we look at Ty-reese and Aaliyah and we know this contribution will give them both so much encouragement.
“These two whanau are just massively deserving of this.”
Ms Bailey spoke with the two families as she presented them with the vouchers on Monday.
“It’s not easy bringing up a family, she said.
“Costs are tight and food is expensive, so we thought let’s do a food voucher as well – we just want you guys to have a really nice Christmas.”
She encouraged Aaliyah to buy art supplies to feed her passion for drawing.
“I just want these kids to shine and I want to keep these kids positive and alive, and make schooling as easy as it can possibly be for them.”
Looking forward, Ms Bailey said she would continue to make MIS “as resourceful as we possibly can for these kids”.
Ms Bailey, you are truly an amazing individual who obviously passed it down to her son because he started it all off by sharing his lunch. What an amazing giving whanau you guys are.
Kia kaha Nga whanau o Masterton