The instigator of a toy drive for children of employees of Samoa Tuna Processors who lost their jobs, Tapumanaia Galu Satele, felt the gratitude of the more than 400 children who received a toy yesterday.
Jumpers were set up on the malae in front of Tropical Pizza for the children to play while volunteers lined up with boxes full of toys.
In all, 458 toys were given out yesterday.
The toys were collected in the span of two weeks at toy collection bins at several stores who were partners in the Pay Forward Toy Drive for children of STP employees.
As Tapumanaia stood up to make an announcement before the toy distribution got underway, he was overcome with emotion seeing so many children looking so excited to receive a gift.
Play Audiogalu gifts
Tapumanaia thanks the stores which had collection bins on their premises: Cost U less, Ace, KS Mart, Manu’a Stores, and Laufou, graphic designers Ave Designs, and All Star graphics, Starkist Samoa which donated the collection bins, and House Representatives Faufano Autele, Manumaua Wayne Wilson, Fagaotaua Dorian and Levaa Uta Mageo who sponsored the jumpers, as well as wll those who donated for this worthy cause.
He says he hopes the spirit of sharing will continue to spread this holiday season in families, villages, churches and across the territory.