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An annual event for West Auckland whānau. Making Christmas special for families in need, by spreading joy and dignity with kai, gifts, and community care.
Christmas can be a tough time for many. The pressure to create a joyful family celebration – complete with food and gifts – can feel overwhelming when finances are tight.
In response to this reality, Visionwest Community Trust organises Christmas From The Heart, a much loved event that has become a recognised part of the West Auckland Christmas calendar that seeks to support whānau to create the type of joyous Christmas Day that their families would otherwise miss out on.
Each year, Visionwest invites whānau to visit and receive kai for the Christmas table and gifts for their children. The event runs for around five days, supports more than 1,000 families, and 4,000 individuals.
Countdown to Christmas From The Heart 2026
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I couldn’t even begin to describe the difference coming here today will make to our whanau. I’ll just say any tears shed will be happy tears now. Thank you so much.
Christmas From The Heart 2025
Christmas From The Heart is made possible through the generosity of our community through…
Kai donations from local businesses.
Toy/Gift donations collected by local businesses who encourage their staff and clients to take part.
Cash donations that help us purchase kai and toys for children.
Volunteers that help out at the event.
Sponsors that support us to buy kai for families and toys for children.
Thanks to the generosity of our funders, partners, and volunteers, at last year’s event…
4,352
2,352
1,271
$228,687
$104,000
What happens at the event?
Christmas From The Heart is designed to offer choice, dignity, and celebration. Guided by a Visionwest keyworker or a corporate volunteer “Christmas Elf,” whānau move through six festive stages:
After a very stressful few years following the Auckland anniversary flooding – this event restores my faith – people, kindness and love – giving hope. Thankyou.
Christmas From The Heart 2025
How can you get involved?
Make a cash donation
A cash donation is one of the most impactful ways to support Christmas From The Heart. Your gift goes directly towards providing kai and Christmas presents for West Auckland whānau who might otherwise miss out.
If you’d like to give at another time of the year, you’re welcome to do that too – every contribution helps us prepare for the season ahead and continue supporting families in our community.
Donate kai for families
Christmas From The Heart relies on the generosity of local businesses to help provide festive kai for families doing it tough.
With your support, we can offer nutritious food and special Christmas treats to households who might otherwise go without. Partnering with us is a simple and meaningful way to give back during the holiday season.
Get in touch to discuss how your business can donate kai and make a real difference for whānau this Christmas.
Collect and donate toys for children
Community support is essential to ensure children receive new toys and gifts at Christmas From The Heart.
You can drop off new, unwrapped gifts to us, or set up your own collection point at your workplace, school, or community group. Every gift makes a meaningful impact.
Click below for more information and resources on how to donate toys or run a collection point.
Volunteer for a day at the event
Each year, we welcome corporate teams to help bring Christmas From The Heart to life. Your team will walk alongside whānau at the event, offering connection and experiencing generosity in action. It’s a rewarding way to give back as a group, strengthen team culture, and support families in your community.
Please note: Individual volunteering isn’t available for this event, but you can click here to explore other volunteering opportunities at Visionwest.
Partner with us as a Corporate Sponsor
Partner with us as a Christmas From The Heart sponsor and help bring joy to even more West Auckland whānau. Sponsorship offers meaningful brand visibility and a strong alignment with your organisation’s social responsibility goals. It’s a powerful way to show your commitment to giving back and supporting the community where your customers and employees live and work.
In recent years, generous corporate partners have joined our doubling donation campaign — matching every public donation and enabling us to reach twice as many families in need.
Become a valued sponsor and make a tangible difference this Christmas.
Before coming to Christmas from the heart I didn’t know whether I would be able to provide a Christmas for my kids.
Christmas From The Heart 2025