THE Red Cross Limestone Coast branch spread festive cheer to elderly people who were set to spend Christmas alone by providing hampers packed with hearty food.
Red Cross Limestone Coast and Murray Mallee regional manager David Walshaw said the hampers were provided through the support of the Adelaide Red Cross office.
Mr Walshaw said staff fundraised across the state through their efforts in the City to Bay Fun Run.
“Woolworths also helped out with the resourcing and distribution of the hampers before they were individually packed and wrapped by local Red Cross staff,” Mr Walshaw said.
“Volunteers delivered 18 of them in the week leading up to Christmas.
“The idea behind the fundraising was to provide a hamper to individuals who will spend Christmas day alone and we identified these clients through our TeleCross program, where our volunteers make a phone call in the morning to check on people’s welfare.
“It’s just a short call with the focus on making sure isolated people are safe and a little more connected to their community and occurs 365 days a year, even on Christmas day.
“Next year we will look to expand the program and team up with other service clubs and not-for-profit organisations to provide much-needed humanitarian support in our communities at this time of the year.”
