Manly star Martin Taupau is leading the campaign to spread Christmas cheer to Samoa as the country battles a measles outbreak that has claimed more than 50 lives.
As of the latest update, 48 children aged four or under have died from the epidemic and 3,728 cases of the contagious disease are on record.
With the help of wife Michelle, who is the NRL's community relations manager, Samoan Test prop Taupau launched an appeal for new and unwrapped toy and clothing gifts to raise the spirits of those affected.
Other organisations are already running fundraisers and providing sanitary items and similar necessities, so Taupau decided to focus on bringing some joy and hope to Samoan families this Christmas.
"A big part of the NRL community is to bring joy and happiness - that's what rugby league does," Taupau told NRL.com.
"We thought we would do that through bringing toys, clothes and whatever it may be that will bring a smile and happiness to those affected back in Samoa."
Taupau has also sourced a range of new NRL merchandise, training gear and footballs to send to the islands.
The initiative has received an outpouring of support from the rugby league community since it went live last Friday.
"It's amazing; I'm really appreciative of players that have showed their love on social platforms and verbally as well," Taupau said.
"We're really, really fortunate in the game of rugby league that they want to donate and be a part of this."
Taupau shared a message of solidarity for the Samoan people doing it tough.
"The NRL is behind them - all the players, all the officials, all the fans, everyone within the NRL is supporting them," he said.
"We're doing everything we can within our powers to support them, whether it's showing love, keeping them in our prayers or donating any items that will bring joy and happiness leading into the Christmas period."
Donations are currently being collected at various NRL offices and leagues clubs (see below), with the potential for more locations to be added.
Any updates will be posted on the NRL Community social media channels.
Gift drop-off locations
BELMORE: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - Edison Lane, Belmore NSW 2192. (2-6 Dec)
CAMPBELLTOWN: Wests Campbelltown – 10 Old Leumeah Rd, Leumeah NSW 2560. (7-8 Dec)
CONCORD: Wests Tigers - Concord Oval, Loftus Street, Concord NSW 2137. (2-6 Dec)
CRONULLA: Sharks Leagues Club - 461 Captain Cook Drive, Woolooware NSW 2230. (2-6 Dec)
KOGARAH: St George Leagues Club - (Dragons Office Level 1) 124 Princes Hwy, Beverley Park NSW 2217. (2-6 Dec)
MOORE PARK: Sydney Roosters - Coach Bay, 122 Lang Road, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park NSW 2021. (2-6 Dec)
MOORE PARK: NRL HQ - Rugby League Central, Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021. (2-6 Dec)
NORTHERN BEACHES: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Administration Building, Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen NSW 2101. (2-6 Dec)
PENRITH: NRL Office - Panthers Stadium Eastern Grandstand, Station Street, Penrith NSW 2750. (2-6 Dec)
REDFERN: South Sydney Rabbitohs - Level 4, 265 Chalmers Street, Redfern NSW 2016. (2-6 Dec)
WOLLONGONG: Steelers Club – (Dragons Office Level 1, 1/5 Burelli St, Wollongong NSW 2500. (3-5 Dec)
NEW ZEALAND: Warriors reception, Mount Smart Stadium GATE C, 2 Beasley Avenue, Penrose, Auckland 1061, New Zealand. (2-9 Dec)
