The Salvation Army and Newcastle Permanent are calling on people on the Central Coast to share the Christmas spirit with someone in need by donating a gift to the Salvos annual Christmas Toy Drive Appeal.
Salvation Army Central Coast Corps Sergeant Major, Jenny Kearns, said the Salvation Army is very fortunate to have many businesses reach out and make donations each Christmas to help those in need.
“People can come to the branch and donate a gift for a child, which can be placed in the donation box under the tree at Newcastle Permanent, and that gift will then go to a family that is struggling to put something under the tree.
“Here on the Coast, we’d like to see hundreds of trees.
“We have quite a large number of families already contact us to indicate they may need help this Christmas so they’ll get a hamper of food, and they will be able to select some toys for their children.
“There’s a range of things that can be donated, it could be just a small gift which is fantastic, and it can go up to a really large gift.
“Sometimes we get bicycles and sometimes we might just get small trinkets.
“It doesn’t matter what it is, it’s the joy that puts into a child’s life,” Kearns said.
Kearns said that the Christmas Toy Drive Appeal supports 100 local families each year.
“We’re expecting this number might be larger this year due to the pandemic, perhaps families that have never had to reach out for help before.
“We’re hoping to be able to help everyone, so that’s why we’re counting on the generosity of the community to be able to help us do that.
“Anyone who requires help this Christmas can contact us 4367 6200,” Kearns said.
Acting Branch Manager at Erina Fair Newcastle Permanent, Judy Arms said “ever since I started working for Newcastle Permanent four years ago, they have been entrenched with the Christmas Toy Drive Appeal.
“We are anticipating the box will be filled possibly twice over.
“There are all sorts of sizes of presents but each box can hold 20 to 30 presents.
“This year we’re aiming to get more presents for teenagers as they often get left behind,” Arms said.
Donations can be made to any Newcastle Permanent branch by December 20.
Newcastle Permanent branches are located in Lake Munmorah, Lake Haven, Tuggerah, Bateau Bay and Erina.
Harry Mulholland