THE true spirit of Christmas was brought into over 100 homes across Millicent and district this week with the delivery of hampers and toys.
It is a yearly tradition dating back more than 30 years for the Millicent churches and agencies to come together to help the needy during the festive season.
Millicent Combined Churches Christmas Appeal convenor Paulie Watts said there had been strong cooperation from all sectors of the community when the call for support went out.
Although the combined churches fete could not be held this year due to a lack of manpower, Ms Watts said wood raffles were held instead and boosted the appeal coffers by over $2000.
She said strong support had come from all the local service clubs and churches as well as groups such as the Millicent Masonic Lodge, Wattle Range Council and Meals-on-Wheels.
“The three Millicent supermarkets have been generous along with South East Property Sales and Management and the Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill,” Ms Watts said.
“Individuals and families back the Christmas Appeal and we had Brian and Dawn Atkinson donate jams, jellies and gifts.
“We delivered around 100 hampers this year and this is down a little on past years.
“We like to think people are managing better.
“The appeal members come from the various churches and the wider community.
“We do not want people to miss out at Christmas and we want to share the joy.
“There is a great spirit of cooperation among the members.”
As in past years, around 20 members of the appeal committee gathered at the Millicent Salvation Army Citadel this week to arrange the new toys and pack the hampers.
The recipients have been referred to the Appeal committee by various agencies.
With a value of about $150, the hampers contain food and household items as well as some treats such as Christmas cakes and puddings.
Local people have also given non-perishable goods and toys through collection boxes placed in the local supermarkets, shops and schools in recent weeks.
Changes to the 2020 appeal arrangements are in the wind with more known after a planning meeting in March.
