Katikati Toy Library Thanks Community for Carpet Support

The Katikati Community Toy Library has entered 2025 with a freshly carpeted facility on Henry Road, thanks to an outpouring of community generosity after the committee lost a $7,000 deposit when their carpet supplier went into liquidation in October 2024. "When we found out our hearts just sank," said toy librarian Sandy Goode. "We were absolutely devastated."

After reaching out to the community through a Givealittle page, the full $7,000 was quickly recovered. Key contributions came from Karen Vigus of Giles & Associates, the Katikati Community Board, Katikati Lions, and the Katikati Christian Centre. Owens Flooring stepped in to lay the carpet at a competitive price and within a tight timeframe, while Dave and his team from the Christian Centre volunteered to pull up the old carpet. "I was just blown away," Goode said. "The community just got right behind us."

The new carpet was laid in early December and has, in Goode's words, "elevated our whole toy library to a new level" — allowing the facility to operate without children getting dirty on the worn, stained flooring. The upgrade also clears the way for the committee to launch a new weekly activity for preschoolers called Minikidi, with start times to be announced soon.

The Katikati Community Toy Library is open Tuesdays 6.30–8pm, Wednesdays 2.30–4pm, and Saturdays 9–10am at 13 Henry Road, behind the Katikati Christian Centre.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).