Christmas Festival Society president Deb Robinson, right, with representatives of some of the recipient groups. Pictured, back from left, Dawn Harpur (Octopus for Preemies), Adrienne Windsor (Waikato Rivertones), Paul Murphy (GW Railway Modellers), Phil Johnson (Volunteer Fire Brigade), Marilyn Bird (CCH), Selby McClelland (Achievement House) and Peter Wright and Richard Crease (Voluntary Fire Brigade). Front, Sally Hall (Cambridge Toy Library), Jo Simpson (La Leche League) with Charlotte and Samantha, Heidi Gleeson (True Colours) and Gabby Byrne (CCH).
Just over $37,000 raised at last year’s Cambridge Christmas Festival has been distributed to 12 separate Waikato charitable organisations.
Cambridge Christmas Festival Society president Deb Robinson said the figure was the highest for an annual grants distribution since the festival started more than 20 years ago.
The grants were given in differing amounts. They went to Cambridge Community House (CCH), Hato Hone St John, La Leche League, the Greater Waikato Railway Modellers, Waikato Rivertones Chorus, Octopus for Preemies, Achievement House, True Colours, the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Cambridge Toy Library, Waikato Family Centre, and Interlock NZ.
The society raises the funds through the Christmas Festival held each December in the Cambridge Town Hall. Society members work throughout the year to craft handmade decorations and gifts to sell, with other offerings including choral and other entertainment and Christmas teas.
