PSS Chief Executive Peter Wards presents Robyn Colvin with an Extra Mile Award for H&J Smith, recognising their generosity and efforts with the H&J Smith Secret Santa Tree.  by PSS

Local Business Going the Extra Mile

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Presbyterian Support Southland has presented H&J Smith with an Extra Mile Award; recognising years of contribution to Family Start families through the H&J Smith Christmas Tree Appeal. 

For almost 10 years, H&J Smith has been helping to make Christmas a little more special for hundreds of Southland families.

Over the years generous shoppers and the store itself have donated hundreds of presents, which have been placed under the store’s Christmas Tree, then distributed to families involved with the Family Start Programme, delivered by Family Works.

For Christmas 2016, 140 children, 49 mothers, six fathers and one grandmother each received gifts on Christmas Day.

In acknowledgement of the ongoing contribution of H&J Smith, Chief Executive Peter Wards presented the business with an Extra Mile Award – only the 10th such award PSS had given out.

Family Works Manager Dawn Lloyd said the gifts made a huge difference to families, and Family Works staff were delighted to be able to deliver them.

“We really value H&J Smith’s contribution, it makes such a difference,” she said.
“With the Family Start programme we work with 206 families in Invercargill, and H&J Smith supports a huge number of those who really need the help.”

The process has been overseen in recent years by H&J Smith Office Administrator Robyn Colvin, who was humbled by the Extra Mile Award. Mr Wards made specific mention of the extra personal time and effort that Robyn put in to the Secret Santa Tree on behalf of H&J Smith.

“It’s amazing and it really does mean a lot,” Robyn said.