Helping Syrian refugees settle into Dunedin has changed one volunteer's life.
Refugee support volunteer Steve Walker said had been enjoying helping and observing ``his'' family rebuild their lives in the new city.
"It's changed my life.''
He would "highly recommend'' becoming a volunteer, he said.
"There's few things better than giving.''
While he had witnessed some "sad tears'' - such as the time the father in the family showed him online the crater where his bombed-out house once stood - most of the time they were "tears of joy''.
Mr Walker said the children in the family had been slightly nervous about going to school, but they were now coming home speaking in English and giving him excited high fives.
Red Cross Dunedin branch president and refugee support volunteer Lynette Wall said the adult refugees had started English lessons at English Language Partners recently and were keen to practise.
The Red Cross was delighted by the donations it had received and she only needed to put out the call for an item online to get several offers to provide it, she said.
She encouraged people who were still keen to support the refugees to instead give money to the Red Cross Dunedin branch's Givealittle campaign, the funds from which would be used to buy necessary items not donated.
Dunedin North MP David Clark recently visited the Red Cross offices with Labour leader Andrew Little and said he was struck by the hard work of the volunteers as well as the sheer number of donations received.
Settling the refugees into the city and providing ongoing support for the families had been a "gargantuan task'' that had been "done so well'' by the Red Cross and its volunteers, Dr Clark said.
"I guess I feel very proud of Dunedin.''
He urged people to give what they could to the Red Cross campaign.
"Every little bit counts.''
The next group of Syrian refugees is due to arrive in Dunedin on June 17. To give to the Dunedin Red Cross Givealittle campaign, visit the website and search "Support for resettlement in Dunedin of former refugees''.
-by Greta Yeoman
