He contacted the Otago Daily Times yesterday to offer thanks to Port Otago and Container Sales and Leasing Ltd for offering a container and to cover shipping costs so the community could send donated goods to Samoa to help rebuild after the tsunami.
"It is a very, very good service for us. The people of the community are very grateful for their kindness."
The 6m container would be placed at the Samoan Christian Congregational Church in Macandrew Rd, South Dunedin, and people could drop off donated goods there, he said.
Kitchen goods, such as crockery, would be very much appreciated.
The church was also to be the meeting point for the Samoan community's rehearsal on Monday night of an item for Tuesday's community fundraising concert in the Dunedin Town Hall.
• A second fundraising concert will be held next Thursday.
Concert organiser Talai Mapusua said a group of University of Otago students began planning the event last week and it grew to include non-students and people of various nationalities.
"This is the best way we feel we can do something. There was no way we couldn't do something," she said.
Samoans living in Dunedin and those here to study felt "so helpless" and viewed the concert as a way to help.
Named "Re-Leaf the Islands", the concert had a message of hope to rebuild, restore and revive the island, she said.
It will be held in the Teachers College Auditorium, starting at 6.45pm.
Tickets range from a gold coin to $15 and are available from the Otago University Students Association office or from Edna Soli on 021-264-1617, email savaiiangurl.eddz@gmail.com
• The New Zealand Red Cross appeal fund for victims of the Samoa earthquake and tsunami yesterday stood at $1,000,148.92.
