Gifts given to help ease pressure

Blue Santa has come early to parts of Manawatu, as Corrections and police team up to deliver Christmas cheer.

The blue squad will deliver packages, including food parcels, toys and other Christmas goodies, to the homes of families in need around Palmerston North.

It’s hoped the programme, dubbed Operation Blue Santa, will help ease the pressures this time of year can bring.

‘‘On a daily basis, both police and Community Corrections see the stresses that this time of the year can place on families, so we are doing a small bit to help out where we can,’’ Inspector Dave White said.

‘‘It’s great to be able to go back to them and help them in a tangible way to have a less-stressful time and help them in a positive way.’’

Police and Corrections were also using the opportunity to provide advice and contact information for these families, should the pressures of Christmas become too overbearing.

Sergeant Brendon Gerrish said the feedback they got from people who received gifts was fantastic.

‘‘A lot of the time their interaction with police would have been a negative one, so [it’s good] showing a different side, showing we are not just there for negative incidents ... for them to know we are there to help.’’

The items being delivered were gathered from a variety of sources, including police and Corrections staff and Methodist Social Services.

Palmerston North Community Corrections service manager Belinda Bidois said they held mufti days at work where people taking part donated goods for the baskets – enough for 26 boxes to be made.

She said Christmas was a stressful time for many families of offenders, so it was good to visit them and let them know they were available if they needed support.

‘‘The food baskets will help ease the financial pressure for these families.’’