Chloe Dodunski

Citation Speech for Chloe Dodunski

A true community steward, Chloe Dodunski exemplifies what it means to be empathetic, caring and generous showing up for others with warmth, kindness and an extraordinary willingness to help.

Living in Halcombe, surrounded by her husband, two children, her horse and dog, her parents and in-laws, Chloe is an absolute light within the Manawatū District community all year long, but this is especially felt at Christmas.

Nearly 11 years ago Chloe established her charity The Tenth Reindeer. It began when she became aware of four local families who were struggling to provide Christmas presents for their children. Without hesitation, Chloe stepped in, buying, wrapping and delivering gifts to bring a little Christmas magic to their homes.

What started as one simple act of kindness soon grew into something much bigger. By August 2026, 65 families had registered for Chloe’s Christmas gift drive, representing more than 100 children.

For many years, Chloe funded the charity entirely from her own family income. In 2025, Feilding Rotary Club and Manchester House generously partnered offering volunteer support, donations and helping to spread the word about the gift drive. Today, the drive is a year-round effort, supported by generous donations from members of the community, local businesses, organisations and charities.

At the front of Chloe’s property sits what is affectionately known as the ‘Christmas Barn’, a shed packed with presents and donations. These goodies are used to provide each child with a supermarket paper bag filled with around 10 to 15 smaller presents.

In early December, Chloe and a team of volunteers begin wrapping the gifts, preparing everything for Chloe to personally deliver by the middle of the month.  The deliveries are throughout the Manawatū District, Palmerston North, Marton and even New Plymouth.

But The Tenth Reindeer has become much more than presents. Over the years, Chloe has formed genuine connections with families experiencing hardship, offering emotional support and kindness during some of their most difficult moments.

And while Chloe has spent so much of her life supporting others, she and her family have also faced significant challenges of their own. While preparing for the arrival of her daughter Mila, Chloe received the unexpected diagnosis of brain cancer.

Rather than allowing her own challenges to define her, Chloe has continued to be a source of strength, positivity and encouragement to others.

This year, she opened and closed the Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, delivering a speech at the candle-lighting ceremony and cutting the ribbon for the Survivors Lap. She has spoken to Feilding’s CACTUS group, Ashhurst School and Feilding Oroua Rotary, and has taken part in several Halcombe ANZAC parades.

When she isn’t dedicating time to her charity, Chloe enjoys horse riding, being outdoors and making memories with her family. Her children, Mila and Cayden, are the light of her life. Chloe is proud to pass on her values of generosity, with Cayden now enjoying donating toys and helping Mum wrap presents for other children each Christmas. Perhaps that is one of the most meaningful parts of Chloe’s contribution, the kindness she gives so freely is already being passed on to the next generation.

Chloe, you are a warm, generous and deeply caring person who continues to think of others, even when life has dealt you an unpredictable hand. The number of smiles, moments of joy and memories you have created for children and families across the Manawatū District over the past decade is impossible to measure.

Tonight, surrounded by your family, friends and community, we hope you feel the same love, warmth and kindness that you so generously share with others each Christmas.

Congratulations, Chloe.