Ashburton Courier: December 07, 2023

8 Ashburton
NEWS
Courier, December 7, 2023
www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz
INSPECTION, PROMOTION FOR CADETS
Making
wishes
come
true
SPECIAL NIGHT:Pictured are (from left) cadet sergeant Wessel
Blignault, cadet acting corporal Gideon Kuipers,cadet corporal William
Brown, Ashburton CadetUnit major Cezarne Rodgers,New Zealand
Army warrant officer Joe Taipari, cadet lance corporal Levi Appleton­
Day, cadet lance corporal,cadet lance corporal Theo Vannini and cadet
corporalJack Robinson­Sulivan.
PHOTO DELLWYN MOYLAN
Ashburton Cadet Unit recentlyheld
aspecial night following their
Southern Area Efficiency title win.
Unit Commander major Cezarne
Rodgers said as aresult they
progressed to compete against
winners from the Central and
Northern regions and were
awaiting the announcement of the
national Efficiency winning unit.
Each of the units were inspected
by awarrant officer from the NZ
Army who will select the winner
from the winning units. The
Ashburton unit was inspected by
New Zealand Army WarrantOfficer
Class One Joe Taipari and during
night six cadets were promoted.
Rodgers said ‘‘it is an amazing
opportunity for the cadets to be
promoted by such ahigh standing
member of the New Zealand Army.’’
The cadets promoted were
Wessel Blignault promoted to cadet
sergeant, he also received his
marksmanship shooting badge for
scoring over 80 in aunit shoot.
Gideon Kuipers was promoted to
acting corporal, William Brown
promoted to corporal, Levi
Appleton­Day promoted to lance
corporal, Theo Vannini promoted to
lance corporal and Jack Robinson­
Sulivan promoted to corporal
DELLWYN.MOYLAN
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz
For 30 years anational
partnership between Kmart and
The Salvation Army has
brightenedupChristmasfor
many.
It is all thanks to the Kmart
Wishing Tree.
It will be the second year Kmart
Ashburton has awishing tree.
People can drop off gifts in the
box next to the tree. For
safekeeping, the elves empty the
box regularly and take gifts to the
Salvation Army.
The wishing tree will be at the
entrance to the store until
ChristmasEve.
Kmart Ashburton store
manager Debbie Mangos said the
store was happy to support local
families.
‘‘We are averaging 60 presents aweek,’’
Mangos said. ‘‘We offer people the
opportunity to donate aChristmasgift for
those who don't have alot and to support local
families,’’ she said.
Working with the Salvation Army, and with
the generous support of their customers,
nationally Kmart have donated over $5.6
million and 10 million gifts have been
distributedtothose in need at Christmas.
Ashburton Salvation Army Corps Officer
lieutenant Semi Ratu said they are very
grateful for the support they receive from the
community. ‘‘When familiescome to pick up
their Christmashampers they can also get a
gift for their child/ren,’’ Ratu said.
The Salvation Army set up donated gifts
like ashop. Ashburton Salvation Army Corps
Officer lieutenant Lizzie Walker­Ratu said
parents can then choose the gift for their
child.
‘‘This gives them the dignity of choosing
what they would like and they know their
kids,’’Walker­Ratu said.
‘‘Some gifts come wrappedand labelled
with the age and gender of the child they are
suitable for, we leave them wrappedsoit's a
surprise for everyone.’’
In some parts of New Zealand the Salvation
Army has withdrawn from giving out
Christmasfood and parcels due to demand on
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Gifts are arriving at the Kmart
Christmas wishing tree for the Ashburton Salvation Army
much to the delight of Ashburton Corp Officers lieutenant
Semi Ratu (left) and lieutenant Lizzie Walker­Ratu (at
right), receiving toys from Kmart Ashburton manager
Debbie Mangos (centre).
services. There isn't the funding for the extra
treats so they are only given astandard
parcel.
In Ashburton, the Salvation Army can
provide the extras like achicken, roast
vegetables, treats and dessert thanks to
support from Braided Rivers Trust. ‘‘Thanks
to their support, Kmart, and the communities
support it’s feeling very Christmassy,’’ Walker­
Ratu said.
‘‘The foodbank has been very busy this year.
The recent Toot for Tucker had come at a
much­needed time. The response was
fantastic with the shelves in the food bank full
but the goods would soon be going out to those
in need.’’
‘‘It's lovely to see everyone caring about each
other through the things they do for others and
their giving, especially with the cost of living
crisis,’’ Walker­Ratu said.
The Food Bank will be operating throughout
the Christmas time for those in need of a
standard food parcel.
Ratu said ‘‘all the generous giving by the
community is what Christmas is all about.’’
Christmas food, treats or gifts can be
dropped to the Salvation Army, corner of Cass
and Cameron Sts from Monday ­Thursday
between 9am and 3pm through until
December 18.
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