SOUTH East businesses, community groups, families and individuals are encouraged to consider those less fortunate this festive season and donate to the 2018 Mount Gambier Mayor’s Community Christmas Appeal.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin has accepted over 100 handmade wooden toys as donations to the appeal created by Mount Gambier Men’s Shed members.
Men’s Shed toy making coordinator Ian Bond was pleased to present the toys to Ms Martin and explained how the initiative started.
“I lived in Adelaide up until April last year and assembled toys with a group called The Toy Boys,” Mr Bond said.
“They made around 600 toys for distribution this year and when I moved to Mount Gambier I suggested the idea to Peter Heness, who is now assistant toy maker manager.
“He shot out and spoke to the mayor’s office and the rest is history.”
For its second consecutive year, members have worked all year to assemble the toys.
“Last year was a rush as I got here in June, sparked off the idea and they said they needed them finished by the end of October,” Mr Bond said.
“We got them done, but some of them were rough and ready.
“We started this batch at the end of last year and have just kept progressing.”
Multiple shed members are involved in the process and are already busy assembling toys for next year.
“We already have around half a dozen different things to think about and are getting things ready for next year and the year after,” Mr Bond said.
“Last year we had a number of people involved that had mental and physical challenges and they were looking for something to do.
“Holding a paint brush lifted them out of the doldrums and they gained a new lease on life.”
Men’s Shed assistant toy manager Peter Heness said the preparation process involved with the toys was a team effort with careful planning.
“Wherever we go we keep an eye out for ideas and take a photograph of things we see for further discussion when we get back,” Mr Heness said.
“We then complete a prototype to see if it works.
“We have four types of toys already lined up, but some of the toys we have made this year will be completed again next year.”
Mr Heness and Mr Bond oversee completion of the bulk of the toys together and have made sure they look “professional”.
“We have spent all year making sure the toys were completed on time and have a much better range than last year,” Mr Heness said.
“They look professional and we feel like children may enjoy them more if they are of a higher quality.”
Ms Martin said the toys would accompany hampers for distribution by South East organisations.
“The toys will accompany hampers distributed by agencies Uniting Care, ac.care, Lifeline, St Vincent De Paul and the Salvation Army,” she said.
“There are some families that are not as fortunate as others in our community and these hampers will go to those families.
“Some children may not necessarily otherwise wake up to a happy Christmas Day, but we hope now they will have something to enjoy when they receive these toys.”
Thursday was Ms Martin’s first visit to the Mount Gambier Men’s Shed.
“I am so impressed with their industrious qualities,” she said.
“They are all so happy working away.
“I would hope they will continue to provide toys in the future.”
Ms Martin encouraged people in the community to donate to the 2018 Mount Gambier Mayor’s Community Christmas Appeal and spare a thought to those less fortunate.
