Here in New Zealand, there are certain things that let you know that summer has arrived. The shorelines start filling with beach balls and cricket bats, the air smells of sun lotion and sausage sizzles, and thousands of Kiwis flock to Mystery Creek for a fun-filled weekend of music.

In 2010, Parachute Festival was better than ever.

While cloudy weather attempted to break up the party, World Vision staff and volunteers made sure that nothing would rain on the parade. 16 volunteers assisted with the festivities, helping raise almost $50,000 for a World Vision project in Rwanda and $5000 for families affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

Throughout the three-day event over 2800 people took part in the “One Life” presentation. Festivalgoers were moved by the experience – a simulation that walks participants through a day in the life of a child living in a World Vision-sponsored community.
 
Over the weekend 223 people sponsored children in World Vision projects. A further 69 people pledged to financially support World Vision’s Children in Crisis Rwanda program.