Community organisation We Care Connect has received over 1,100 requests to provide Christmas gifts to disadvantaged Central Coast children this year.
We Care Connect called on the local community to provide brand new gifts to these deserving children, and they estimate they have received around 6,000 gifts in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Each child will receive at least one main present, some smaller gifts and some fun stocking fillers.
We Care Connect CEO Derryck Klarkowski said: “There are many different heartbreaking stories but the sadness is that many ordinary kids in ordinary families won’t have a good Christmas this year because of straight out poverty.
“Our workload has increased 40 per cent this year not including Christmas.
“As for Christmas this year the number of kids we are supporting has gone up 300 per cent from last year,” he said.
In the spirit of Christmas, the team at Husqvarna HQ at Tuggerah has contributed a significant number of toys to the We Care Connect team for their Christmas toy drive.
The We Care Connect team was delighted to receive the replica Husqvarna toys including Hedge Trimmers, Blowers and even their remote-controlled Robotic Lawn Mowers.
The donations will children with the opportunity to utilise their imagination and explore their outdoor space this Christmas.
Community groups throughout the Coast have come together to organise toy collections, from Daycare centres, Wyong Leagues Club venues, Big W Tuggerah, community groups, churches, Coles Wishing Trees, Retirement Villages, local businesses, and a wonderful donation from the Royal Hotel Wyong and the Roos Foundation, that will provide over 350 food hampers to vulnerable children.
As well as the toys and hampers, Christmas trees and decorations have also been provided.
We Care Connect spokesperson Helen Barker said: “As an organisation, we connect community generosity to a local family in need.
“These last few weeks have shown just how generous the Central Coast community is.
“Whilst we hear firsthand from case workers how many families are doing it exceptionally tough, we are privileged to see how thoughtful, compassionate and warm-hearted this community is.
”A very big thank you to everyone who has made this happen”.
In the week before Christmas We Care Connect volunteers pack presents so they can be provided to the Case Workers supporting these disadvantaged families.
At this stage of the Christmas period, the best way to support We Care Connect’s efforts is a financial donation to allow We Care Connect to keep supporting local children in need, head to https://wecareconnect.org.au/money-donations/ to donate.
We Care Connect works to reduce childhood poverty and disadvantage one local family at a time.
That could be a child who has to flee their home due to domestic violence, families living below the poverty line, or children living in emergency care.
The organisation provides everyday practical essentials to local vulnerable children to reverse the impact of childhood disadvantage.
Each month, it provides approximately 200 children with practical essentials, and re-home around 10,000 items.
We Care Connect distributes pre-loved children’s items like cots, car seats, prams and clothing through a professional network of support agencies and case workers.
Community members who would like to donate quality children’s items can visit the website www.wecareconnect.org.au to find the six drop off locations through the Central Coast.
Drop-off locations will be closed during the Christmas period, and re-open mid-January.