Nominate a needy family
& GrabOne could make their Christmas
Nominations are now closed.
Christmas is coming, but there are some Kiwi families who aren’t going to have a Christmas that’s quite as awesome as ours. Here’s your chance to help out.
Tell us about a family who’s had a tough year, then GrabOne will choose 13 families (that’s one family from each region we’re in) and shower them with Christmas cheer.
GrabOne’s Secret Santa package includes supermarket vouchers and a range of gifts for the whole family from some of GrabOne’s most valued merchants.
If you’d like to nominate a deserving family, click here to fill out the GrabOne’s Secret Santa Super Secret Form. You can also email us at secretsanta@grabone.co.nz. Please remember to include the part of the country your nominee lives.
Once we’ve chosen the 13 families, we’ll contact the people who nominated them to hatch a present-delivering plan together. A GrabOne employee or two will deliver the gift package in person but to be sure the family will be there when we turn up, the nominator will be our undercover spy.
Nominations are open from October 25th until November 27th. The 13 families will be selected on November 28th, and the person who nominated them will be contacted via phone or email by the 29th. All gifts will be delivered to the winning families by December 13th.
Please note, all nominations are private and confidential. We won’t share the nominated families’ stories without their permission.
I would like to nominate my daughter Emma for this wonderful package. My daughter Emma is a single parent of two girls, 5 and 2 1/2. Emma became a mum at 17 and has strived to do her best to support the girls and herself. Two weeks ago Emma was burgled for the THIRD time. Unfortunately, she and my granddaughters walked into the mess the burglars created. Stealing her one and only possession of any value, her tv. The smashed a window and put holes in the wall. Emma and my granddaughters were so distressed they have left the property and will not return. To add to that, her car has now broken down and is not worth getting fixed! She certainly has had a bad run of it. With Christmas coming upon us very quickly Emma and my beautiful granddaughters deserve nothing but best. If you can pick her I know she will be so thrilled as will I. I know there are so many deserving families, and the choice will be very hard, but Emma would be so very grateful as will the rest of our family. Thank you, regards, Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for the nomination – I’ve added it to the list. Could you please let me know what part of the country Emma lives in? You can email secretsanta@grabone.co.nz or fill in the application form here . Thanks so much, Erin 🙂
That’s such a great initiative!
Hi Virginie – thanks, we think so too! Christmas is the season for giving, after all! Erin 🙂
Hi Guys,
I would like to Nominate my sister cindy she has had a rought year ,2months ago she was told she has breast cancer but now it has spread so she cant work anymore and i would love her to have a great xmas with family stress free and no money worries, she live in chch on the eastside so was effected by the earthquakes quite bad also,so she needs a bit of good furtune,
thanks
Thanks so much for the nomination, Debbie 🙂
Hi,
I would like to nominate my bestfriend, her husband and their 4 year old daughter for this giveaway. We live in Rotorua.
My bestfirend has a brain tumor. She is a 34 yeaand an amazing woman.
Everyday she gets out of bed and put on a smile and still cooks and entertains for friends no matter how horrible she feels.
In August she had surgery to remove part of the tumor and she is at home recovering at the moment. She is looking to have radiation treatment in December.
She isnt allowed to drive for 6 months so it makes trips to town to shop for groceries and chrismas presents a difficult task.
We all help out with errands and daycare runs etc but she is very independant and doesnt like to ask for favours.
If she has radiation in December i cant imagine she will be too full of christmas spirit.
She is the most thoughtful and caring person i have ever met and it would be so nice if i could do something like this for her.
Thanks for your consideration.
Jenn
Thanks so much for your nomination, Jenna 🙂
My Stepdaughter has just had a baby a few days ago.
Claire Lau has had a very difficult time with this pregnancy being sick most of the time.
Claire is a single Mother and has a six year old boy,and was burgled a few weeks ago taking most items of value.
Kind regards Terry Ansell
Kind regards
Hi Terry. Thanks so much for your nomination. Could you please email me at secretsanta@grabone.co.nz and let me know where in the country she lives? Thanks so much, Erin 🙂
Kia ora. I’d like to nominate my sister Shanel. She is a married mother to 4 beautiful children whom she adores, runs around after all over town for their schooling, their sports and anything they want to do. Despite the cost of things the kids do she always finds a way to make it happen for them. She recently lost her job in a restructure and took on full time care of my now 6 month old so I could return to work. She is always there for me, always giving and helping without expectation. She runs around after my children when I need her help, she is a great wife, mother, sister and friend and although she may not be rich financially she is filthy rich in aroha and kindness. She is not only my sister, but my best friend and from the bottom of my heart she deserves something good like this, and so do her babies. Thank you for your consideration:)
Hi Ari! Thanks so much for your nomination – Shanel sounds amazing. Could you please email me at secretsanta@grabone.co.nz and tell me where in the country she lives? Thanks, Erin 🙂
Hi i would like to nominate my mum (philomena), she lost someone very close to her and lives most days trying to support people battling cancer and getting funding for cancer people, she does so much for the community helping out people in need round her town, and sacrificing everything for me and my siblings, shes never been spoiled like she deserves to be and never ask for anything, shes just so selfless that i just want her to finally be appreciated for all that she does. Thank you
Hi Lia. Thanks so much for your submission. Could you please email me at secretsanta@grabone.co.nz and let me know where in the country your mum lives? Thanks so much, Erin 🙂
Hi! I would like to jointly nominate my mother & my sister. Shortly before the whole family were finally re-united here in NZ, my father was diagnosed with cancer. From the time they arrived early last year, life was about doctors’ appointments, radiation therapy, 2 hospitalizations, rest home visits, making the most of our time with him. My parents now living with my sister and her family (husband and 2 kids)along with my brother. She took care of my brother when he had a stroke while they were on holiday overseas 5 years ago and she is a breast cancer survivor herself. While it is by far a miracle with dad hanging on (to life) this side or eternity, the secret santa package would not only bring Christmas cheer to the whole family but would be a refreshing encouragement to their household and would be a nice touch to celebrate my parents’ golden wedding anniversary in December! We are living in hope that my dad would still be around then.
Hi Marie. Thanks so much for your nomination. Could you please email me at secretsanta@grabone.co.nz and let me know where in the country your mum and sister live? Thanks so much, Erin 🙂
I would like to nominate a dear friend that lives in Darfield ChCh. Stephan became a widower in July this yr after losing his dear wife to cancer and is now raising their 4 children alone. It was a shock to everyone that knew this family hearing our lovely friend Michelle had breast cancer. She underwent treatment right away. She lost 1 breast and then was told she was in the clear but only to find out soon after the cancer had spread to her liver. Michelle died less than a yr from being diagnosed with the breast cancer. It has been a tough road for the family and this will be the first christmas without their loved one. I think this prize would be a very special way to say that we are there for them at this special time of yr and that we love them.
Hi Tania. Thanks so much for the nomination. I’ve added it to the list of submissions for you. Thanks! Erin 🙂
I would like to nominate my daughter Charlotte.
Charlotte works extremely hard, she has a little girl and always thinks of others before herself I very much value this special quality in her.
What a awesome surprise this would be for someone who always gives.
Hello Margaret, thanks so much for the nomination. All the best! Erin 🙂
I would like to nominate my daughter Katie. She is now the solo parent of three children after leaving an abusive relationship. Who youngest suffers from terrible exema which makes life even more difficult.
Her grandad has recently passed on. Katie was wonderful with him with her love and support. The family live from day to day. I would love someone to spoil her. It is what she deserves.
Hi Christine, thanks for the message. All the best! Erin 🙂
Hi I would like to nominate a very close friend of mine who lives in Tauranga. Kayla is 22 and an amazing mum to two beautiful children not only does she devote her life to her kids and studys full times while her patner is away from home working she has to take her gorgeous little boy to hospital for an operation every 6-8 weeks since he was born . Unfortunately he was born with a growth in his throat and this effects his breathing and voice box he has to have bits of the growth removed each time and then it grows back hence the frequent operations.,doctors visits etc Kayla has never once complained about this she is one of the most amazing strong girls/mothers I know and she just gets on with it. Kayla really deserves some Christmas cheer as money is tight with her studying and 2 kids to bring up. I have known Kayla since she was a young girl and I have watched her grow into an amazing women and mother despite having various struggles through out her life. I think Kayla really deserves something special for everything she does.
Thanks Haley
Hi Haley, thanks so much for the submission. Have a great day! Erin 🙂
I would like to nominate my dear neighbour Kirtsy. We live in a block of 4 flats in Christchurch, where her and her partner and their son moved down to help with the rebuild after the Christchurch earthquakes. Moving from Tauranga to Christchurch, she faced the hardest decision any parent could make, and leave behind her 3 other children, with their biological father. At first there was some work, now the work has dried up. With the lack of finances, she still manages to ensure her 4yr old son is clean, clothed, fed and entertained. She not only looks after her son full time but also the other neighbours child, who is 2yrs old. She has helped us all with her wonderful cooking skills, and taught us all a few very basic, but nutritious meals the whole family demand more of. All this is done while she struggles with bipolar, a difficult relationship, and the loss of her beautiful children, of which now have moved permanently overseas with their father. She always has time to help in the garden, a coffee and chat, helping with the elderly neighbours rubbish bins every week and rarely complains. She in my eyes is the strongest and most proud person I know. I truly believe she deserves to be acknowledged for all she gives, and keeps on giving. Thank you, Angela of Christchurch.
Hi Angela, thanks for the message. Have a great day! Erin 🙂
I nominate my sister Toni she is a single mum of five daughters ages 14, 9, 8, 7 and 5years old and live in Tauranga. My sister has been finding things hard over the last couple of years giving up her studies to try and better her self so she could get a job to take care and support her children and herself financially to help us care for our father who we nearly lost to a brain tumour and major stroke not to long ago. My sister has been raising her kids since they were born with not much financial help from their father, he used to take and spend my sisters and nieces money on himself and he doesn’t buy his children anything from when they were born up to now he still doesn’t support his kids so 24hrs 7 days a week my nieces are cared for by my sister unless they are at school but then she is helping take care of our father. She never really gets time out or a brake away to have any me (her) time just to relax and try and do something for herself. At the start of this year her eldest daughter started college and started getting mixed up with the wrong friends, going missing for days ect my sister would drive around all day and night looking for her daughter and got tired of it repeatedly. She then took in a family she knew of two adults and six kids as they were staying on the streets sleeping in the van coz they got kicked out of there house now this family she was helping both parents were earning income but instead of getting food to feed there children and help give some money to my sister to help pay towards bills ect they didn’t and so my sister would support herself her kids and this family of eight it was getting hard on her paying bills and buying food for her family and this other family but this went on for about two to three months and my sister was getting upset she didn’t want to kick them out because of the six kids but she went home one day and were packing up to leave they said they are ok they were going to stay with the children’s nan so my sister was alright. After all the drama and stress my sister started saving money to buy tickets for her and her family tickets to move to Australia she saved enough to do this and brought there tickets to leave in September so she started selling her stuff and donating house hold funitures and stuff even all her children’s bikes swimming pool trampoline scooters tents ect to families that were in need and who had children of there own and gave in her notice for her house. days before she was suppose to leave for Australia the car was broken into and they stole a laptop bag with their laptop with family photos, passports, birth certificates and some money from the boot my sister didn’t have enough money to get new passports in time for their flights so they never went to Australia she also lost out on all the money buying their tickets as they weren’t transferable and couldn’t get a refund. So now her and her five kids are currently looking for another house to rent and she is trying to get money together to buy them more funiture and sort things out before Christmas this year. Please please can you help out my sister and nieces as she really deserves to get something good happen to her this year even if it’s from a secret Santa.
Hi Tangiwai. Thank so much for the nomination. All the best. Erin 🙂
Hi there I would love to nominate my brother Leo whom finds it very hard to ask for help from anyone. My brother has been sick for several years now that hes retired. Some six months ago his wife had her second stroke within the last 12 months. Life has been very hard for both of them as their children and the grand children have moved to Australia and to get any assistance of any kind is very humbling. With only $20 to their name every week after paying rent and power without a car to get groceries or even toilet paper day to day living is very difficult. I would most defiantly love to nominate Leo of Manurewa fora secret santa surprise as this will help them to keep living.
Hi Debbie, thanks so much for the message. Good luck! Erin 🙂
Thank-you for taking the time to bring some extra community love and cheer from Grab One.
I would like to nominate my sister and her two children.
My sisters life has not been easy, and she has some problems including depression to maintain.
Her son has Aspergers and is now in his teens, it has become more difficult as he has aged.
We would appreciate any help you can offer.
Hi Julia, thanks so much for the message. All the best. Erin 🙂
Hi – I would like to nominate my daughter who is a single parent with 4 boys living in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes in the eastern suburbs. I her mother had to leave Christchurch and moved to Nelson 2 years ago as I had post traumatic stress syndrome. Then a few months ago her second son Thomas who was 2 weeks out from his 13th birthday was diagnosed with leukemia, which we are all devastated about. I feel so helpless being away and not being able to be there to help her with her other boys the youngest who is 6. This package would be a lovely way of helping her from always having to stuggle to put food on the table.
Thank you.
Hi Linda, thanks so much for the nomination. Good luck! Erin 🙂
Is there any way to make a nomination other than by comment – I’d rather not put their information up for the public to read?
Hi Elley – yes you can either email secretsanta@grabone.co.nz with a nomination or click on the link that’s in the blog which will take you to a private and confidential online form. Thanks! Erin 🙂
I want to nominate a family friend, Deborah from South Auckland and in her mid 50’s. She has struggled through alot in the last few years, she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of this year of 2013 and has been courageously battling through that. Last year 2012, she also took on her three grandchildren who were in an unsafe environment, which was definitely met with resistance,and we have seen such positive changes in her grandchildren. She has been off work for the last 2 months as she has had to undergo chemo again. My husband also had a mental breakdown about 6 years ago and she has always been there for me throughout those difficult times. She is another amazing person and also so deserving, just like all the other candidates!
Hi Riki-Lee! Thanks so much for the message. you’re right – all the nominations sound like incredible people. It’s going to be hard decision to make! Good luck, Erin 🙂
i would like to nominate my family . I have 4 kids and six grandkids. MY mum is 71 and not all the best but she does what she can to help us all the time. To have a bit of joy for all of us at this time would be a blessing. You would have to trust this simple message as i could write a novel on our dramas.A merry xmas and good luck to all. I just hope everyone gets a memory to cherish forever. Its not the material things that count Be safe x
Good afternoon Carol. Thank you for your submission. Good luck! Erin 🙂
Shot GrabOne! Way to pay it forward! Great idea!
Hi Neroli – thanks! We thought it would be a cool idea to remember the reason for the season and bless some peeps this year too! Thanks, Erin 🙂
I would like to nominate my mom, she has had such a hard year she has had 6 surgeries and still has 2 more to go thru before 2014, she has had both feet operated on for tumors, spinal surgery, gynae surgery, leg surgery and shoulder surgery, she has been trying to keep things together for the family but it is not easy and as she can’t lift things still she can’t work as she used to look after kids from home so has been unable to work for over a year and not sure how long this will go on for, she is always smiling and worrying about others she is so strong and never wants to ask for help but is the first to try and make others happy, she is trying acupuncture as she has heard it might make healing quicker and she just wants to be a normal mom she says but she is petrified of needles and it takes so much courage to go and have it done 🙁
She deserves a nice Christmas that would be worry free – thank you 🙂
She lives in Auckland North Shore Area
Hi Cassie. Thanks so much for your submission. All the best! Erin 🙂
I would like to nominate my amazing friend Anne-Marie – she was diagnosed last year with terminal pancreatic and liver cancer and given approx 6 months, well on 26th Oct she has survived 1 year, but they have not given her too much more time, she has an incredibly supportive family and her husband and 3 children deserve a memory gift with her, our prayer is that she will be here forever as she is such an inspiration to us all but in reality we do not know how long she will be in all our lives, please help her give her family a joyous Festive Season.
Hi Sandy, thanks so much for your kind nomination. All the best! Thanks, Erin 🙂
I would like to nominate my friend. she has recently been diagnosed with cancer, it is terminal and her prognosis is not good. Currently she is undergoing daily treatment, which means she is unable to work. She is a single mother of 2. She has no extended family in chch to help and is heavily reliant on friends and the cancer society volunteers. She is in a lot of pain and is very sick so xmas shoppping is just totally out of the question for her. I would love it if you could consider her and her little family for this wonderful gesture that grab one are offering. Thanks ever so much.
Hi Linda. Thanks so much for your nomination. Good luck! Erin 🙂