Together with Variety - the Children's Charity and Women's Refuge, The Warehouse Group is on a mission to make thousands of Christmas wishes possible for Kiwi children.

The annual ‘Be the Joy' campaign is launching in all of The Warehouse Group's 249 stores across the country to help Kiwi families get the Christmas they deserve.

Customers can purchase a $5 gift tag at any The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Noel Leeming or Torpedo7 store or online, and The Warehouse Group will turn it into a $20 gift for a child who might otherwise go without.

The Warehouse stores nationwide are also collecting new, unwrapped presents for their local Women's Refuge.

Until December 20, Kiwis can donate gifts to the instore donation boxes for women and children in Refuge's care.

"We know many New Zealanders are looking for ways to support others, particularly at Christmas time, and we want to make this simple at a busy time of year," says The Warehouse Group chief corporate affairs officer Anna Shiple.

"Customers can either buy a $5 Be the Joy gift tag at any of our stores or donate a gift at The Warehouse, and we'll then work with Women's Refuge and Variety to make sure a Kiwi child, who might otherwise miss out, gets a gift to brighten up their Christmas."

Shipley says that through last year's campaign 17,363 gifts were delivered to children across New Zealand.

'This is the sixth year we've run our annual Be the Joy campaign as one small way we support our local communities, and to help make things just a little bit easier for families in Aotearoa during the festive season."

"For many of the children Variety supports, Be the Joy is the difference between receiving a gift on Christmas day or not," says Variety – the Children's Charity chief executive officer Susan Glasgow.

"This year, we've heard from many more parents struggling financially with increases in
groceries, rent and bills. There is often nothing left for other expenses, let alone gifts for their children.

"The Warehouse Group's Be the Joy campaign gives New Zealanders the chance to share the magic of Christmas with children who would otherwise go without. Knowing that they and the more than 1000 children on our waitlist will have a present to open fills me with joy."

Women's Refuge CE, Dr Ang Jury, wants those dropping gifts to the instore collection boxes at The Warehouse to know they are doing far more than just doing a good deed for the festive season.

"The women and kids receiving your gifts will remember your generosity for years to come. Hanging out at a Refuge can be unsettling for kids, and even more so at a time like Christmas.

"What your generosity means is a day for a child that's just that little bit more special. Having a little gift of their own to unwrap on Christmas morning can turn a time of anxiety into one of wonderment."

To kick off the campaign, The Warehouse Group has donated more than 4000 toys to children in need across the country.

$5 Be the Joy gift tags and add a dollar is available at all The Warehouse Group stores – The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationary, Noel Leeming and Torpedo7 - in store and online from today until December 20, 2022.