A large number of children, accompanied by an adult or parent, showed up Monday afternoon for the official distribution of more than 300 toys collected through the “PAY IT FORWARD - TOY DRIVE PROJECT”, which started Dec. 5 until Dec. 7.

The project, an initiative by Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr., and his children, targeted children of former Samoa Tuna Processors Inc., cannery employees, who are now without jobs after the company’s cannery operation was shutdown indefinitely last Friday.

However, there were also many children who showed up with parents, who were not employees of STP.

“We cannot turn these children away, we will do all we can to make sure that they also get toys,” Tapumanaia told Samoa News in a quivering voice as he looked at the sea of many, many children waiting eagerly to get a Christmas gift.

“It’s Christmas, and the season of giving as well as helping out others in need,” he said just before the toy distribution got underway around 3p.m. in front of Tropical Pizza and Tropical Pizza grounds in Tafuna.

This youngster smiled for the Samoa News camera, Monday afternoon, after getting a toy during Monday afternoon’s toy distribution from the "Pay It Forward — Toy Drive Project" — spearheaded by Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr., and his children, to ensure that children of the Samoa Tuna Processors employees, who have lost their jobs, have smiling faces for Christmas. Read story inside. [photo: FS]

STP Human Resources Department provided Tapumanaia with a list showing the names of the 675 employees that were laid off, while the number of people who showed up Monday and registered for the Toy Drive was 382. However, “the number of children we distributed toys to was 456,” Tapumanaia said.

He described the distribution day as an “emotional day” for the organizers and volunteers as the toys were being distributed “to see the smiles and happiness or the true spirit of Christmas fill the air during the distribution.”

Tapumanaia explained to the crowd the reason for the toy drive and for the fact that this was something to teach his children the “spirit and the importance of giving during Christmas” as well as the importance of sharing and giving to those in need. He said that this was also the same message his parents shared with him and his siblings in their young age.

“What a feeling and I was so emotional and literally cried and was speechless for a little bit there as I tried to share the reason for doing this project,” Tapumanaia said yesterday.

This young lady smiled for the Samoa News camera after picking a “GlitterHair” Christmas gift from the "Pay It Forward — Toy Drive Project" spearheaded by Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr., and his children, to ensure that children of the Samoa Tuna Processors employees, who have lost their jobs, have smiling faces for Christmas. [photo: FS]

“Many people have asked me why I would go all out and do something like this and I tell them like it is,” he said. “An opportunity presented itself for me to teach a valuable lesson to my children of the importance of being kind, generous and sharing the blessing of giving to the less fortunate.

“In just two weeks time we were able to coll

This young lady smiled for the Samoa News camera after picking a “GlitterHair” Christmas gift from the "Pay It Forward — Toy Drive Project" spearheaded by Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr., and his children, to ensure that children of the Samoa Tuna Processors employees, who have lost their jobs, have smiling faces for Christmas. [photo: FS]ect over 400 plus toys to give out to these children. I can’t say enough about the power of FAITH in GOD’S LOVE,” he said.  “To have all the people who donated take the time to share a toy on behalf of these children goes to say how much we as a people believe in helping each other out when in need.”

He recalled that the people were patient on Monday afternoon, as organizers — including his mother, children and siblings — tried to find the best possible way to distribute the toys evenly and fairly.

He thanks the businesses who allowed the organizers to set out the collection bins in their stores — KS Mart, Cost U Less, ACE, Manu’a- Malaeimi, and Laufou Forsgrens. Thanks also went out to AVE Designs and Allstar Signs for the graphics that were on the collection bins and a big fa'amalo and fa'afetai to StarKist Samoa for the donated collection bins.

As people were being registered for the toy distribution, organizers arranged to have two inflatable jumpers set up for the children to play on. And this was the kind donation from Reps. Faufano Autele, Manumaua Wayne Wilson, Ve'evalu Uta Mageo and Faipule-elect Fagaoatua Dorian Salave'a and Ve'evalu Uta Mageo.

The tents used for the event were a package deal from Skyview Rentals and was paid for by the kind donation of Ese Foleni Niko of Samoa Talaave Radio based in California who sent a $100 for the event. Thanks were also extended to Skyview for their support.

“All these efforts would not have been possible as well without the help of kind volunteers who supported this effort and took the lead as team leaders for each collection bin site,” he said. “Thank you to all of you for your time and support. Thank you to the kind and generous donations of everyone that gave a toy, donated monetary gifts and to those who simply blessed us with a prayer thank you for your blessings.”

“To have this opportunity to share this valuable lesson with my children was beyond my expectations and they enjoyed handing out gifts and seeing the smiles and happiness on the faces of these kids. May God bless all of you for your support and may God return your generosity with his blessings,” he added.