Kiwanians all wrapped up in annual Christmas project

Measure, cut, fold, tape. Repeat on both sides. Add bow.

Measure, cut, fold, tape. Repeat on both sides. Add bow.

When wrapping gifts at Christmas, the cycle could go on for hours.

Kiwanians in New Zealand can attest to that. They clocked more than 100 hours of gift wrapping for the holiday this past year at a shopping center in Manukau.

Division 10 lieutenant governor John Bell of the New Zealand-South Pacific District led the marathon event, which included help from the Papatoetoe Kiwanis club and Key Club, Auckland Kiwanis club, Manukau Kiwanis club, and Manurewa High School Key Club.

The service runs for 15 days prior to Christmas, and volunteers wrap anything purchased at the mall—at no cost to the customers. The group will participate in the event again this year—the fourth year of involvement. The mall pays the club $10 per hour for the service.

“It’s a very rewarding experience talking with people while wrapping their gifts, particularly when you are wrapping tiny little gifts lovingly purchased by small children for their parents or siblings,” says John. “That’s the time I like to slow down and take the opportunity to chat with them.”

And you thought wrapping could be difficult? Try wrapping a wheelbarrow or a fishing rod—just a couple things John has seen come through the line.

“It can be quite a challenging experience. But we meet some neat people who certainly appreciate being able to take their gifts home already wrapped so all they need to do is place them under the Christmas tree.”