Christchurch kids smile

Salvation Army community welfare workers hosted a special Christmas event on 9 December 2011 at Woolston Park in Christchurch, aiming to put smiles on children’s faces at the end of a tough year.

Children from four eastern suburbs school—Woolston, Phillipstown and Bromley primary schools, and Linwood Intermediate—came in by bus for a fun activity day. Each school has a Salvation Army Community Welfare Worker (or ‘Schoolie’) working with them as part of The Salvation Army’s earthquake response.

After many hours of preparation over several weeks, the day went entirely to plan. As well as entertainment from a live band (Thousandfold) and items presented by the schools, children enjoyed a BBQ lunch, a mass Zumba class and a Christmas message. The Salvation Army’s Community Care Team was on hand with campervans and BBQs to cater for the 1000 children and adults that attended.

The excitement culminated in the creation of Christchurch’s longest banana split—115 metres! Clowns, teachers and even Mayor Bob Parker joined in the fun, combining 500 bananas, 100 litres of ice cream and many litres of cream and chocolate toppings to the spouting laid out the entire length of the park.

The Salvation Army is grateful for the support of numerous other agencies as well as donations from businesses, which helped make the day such a success. Organisers hope that ‘the smiles and memories created’ for the children outweigh ‘some of the less happy memories of earthquakes and a broken city’ of the past year.